Resurrection, Ascension And Pentecost - Morning Devotion on June 3, 2024

Resurrection, Ascension And Pentecost

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 1:3-5

Jesus resurrected after he passed away on the cross. After his resurrection, he worked on the earth for forty days before he went back to the spirit world. Similarly, the fact that Jesus passed away and then resurrected, and after that ascended again, symbolically demonstrates God's work of creation.

Jesus Christ Will Come and Go for the Sake of Heaven and Earth
May 26, 1956

John the Baptist, who was in the position of Cain, should have cooperated with Jesus, who was in the position of Abel. Cooperating together, they should have located the Mother, the bride of Jesus. Then Jesus would have been the Father and his bride the Mother. When these two wedded in divine love, they could have given birth to children who would have been Jesus' sons.

Even though Jesus lost his body on the physical level, he could resurrect on the spiritual level to save mankind. Even on the spiritual level, he had to go through a certain course of indemnity in order to save mankind. After the resurrection, Jesus was placed in the position of father and in the position of Abel. There was no one in the position of Cain and that's why he looked for Peter, James, and John. By their becoming entirely one with Jesus, at the cost of their lives and at the cost of everything else, the road could be paved on the spiritual level -- the road of salvation. From then on they would sacrifice themselves, their lives, for the cause of Jesus. With that foundation established, they could meet their mother, the Holy Spirit. This is what happened at the Pentecost.

The True Path of Restoration
January 11, 1972

Upon Jesus' crucifixion, his eleven remaining disciples were demoralized and scattered. After his resurrection, however, Jesus gathered them in one place and commenced a new phase of the providence: the restoration of the spiritual Canaan. The disciples chose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot and fill the vacancy among the twelve. By believing in Jesus and following him at the cost of their lives, they laid the spiritual foundation of substance and the spiritual foundation for the Messiah. Upon this foundation, Jesus ascended from the position of the spiritual mission-bearer for John the Baptist to the position of the spiritual Messiah and sent the Holy Spirit. Thereupon, Jesus and the Holy Spirit became the spiritual True Parents and began the work of giving rebirth. Ever since the descent of the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), the resurrected Jesus as the spiritual True Father and the Holy Spirit as the spiritual True Mother have worked in oneness to grant spiritual rebirth by spiritually engrafting believers with themselves. This is the work of spiritual salvation, which established the realm of resurrection inviolable by Satan...

The resurrected Jesus is the spiritual fulfillment of the Temple... The most holy place and the holy place, representing the spirit and flesh of Jesus, were fulfilled as spiritual realities through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The ideal of the mercy seat has been realized through the works of salvation given by Jesus and the Holy Spirit, enabling God to appear in their works and impart His word. On the mercy seat, where God's word is proclaimed, the cherubim that had blocked our path since the Fall were parted, opening our way to enter the Ark of the Covenant and receive Jesus, the Tree of Life. There we can partake of the manna provided by God and witness the greatness of God's power that once caused Aaron's staff to bud. (Hebrews 9:4-5)

Exposition of the Divine Principle
Moses and Jesus 3.3.1.3-4

Weekly Update on June 6, 2024

HAPPY DAY OF ALL TRUE THINGS
June 6 (62nd anniversary)
Please celebrate at home with your family.

Join us this Sunday, June 9 at 11:00 a.m. for our weekly worship service.  Carol Anne Nilson is giving the message.  Mr. Asada is teaching a Sunday school character education lesson titled Stone Soup.  Please bring a dish to share for potluck lunch.

President Dunkley is coming to the Triangle.  On Saturday, July 13, he wants to speak to our young people about faith, leadership and the 2025 Blessing in Korea. There will be opportunity to ask questions.  On Sunday, July 14, he will join our picnic at Jordan Lake, starting at noon.  Help us to mobilize our young people and young families to welcome President Dunkley.  

We will celebrate National Parents Day on Saturday, July 20, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at TFC. There will be volleyball, games for the kids, face painting, crafts, picnic dinner and inspired musicians and speakers.  Contact Sharon Pace for more info or to volunteer to serve.  Please consider nominating a deserving family you know as Parents of the Year.  Visit this website for more info: https://parentsday.com/. 

The 24th anniversary of ACLC and 20th anniversary of Women In Ministry will take place on June 10 and 11 at Rev. Mark Abernathy's church, Connect Point Family Church, in Snellville, Ga.  Here is the link to register: https://hsa.regfox.com/24th-aclc-national-anniversary-peace-starts-with-me 

Hyo Jeong Internation Foundation for Environmental Peace is sponsoring an Environmental Summit, Rejuvenating Our Ecosystems, on Saturday, June 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Register to call 410-800-3743. 

Create A Life You Love is a great way to introduce your guests to Divine Principle, Saturdays from 10:30 - 11:30, facilitated by Henri Schauffler.  Register here. 

Statewide ACLC outreach meetings are the first and third Mondays at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting is to be decided. Here is the link to join the meeting.

Please join us for Morning Devotion from Monday to Friday at 6:00 a.m.
Here is the link.

We will join Dr. Achille and Capitol Family Church on the weekend.
Here is the link.  Passcode: 2027

Please feel free at any time to use the Cheon Shim Won (Prayer Room) at TFC to pray or meditate.  

Jesus Appears to the Disciples - Morning Devotion on May 29, 2024

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they' saw him, and worshiped him; but some doubted.

Matthew 28:16-17

Even after his death, Jesus was concerned about the disciples who had scattered, and even during the three days in the tomb he was determined to protect them for eternity. Consequently he went to the shores of Galilee after his resurrection and searched for them.

We might wonder from a humanistic perspective today how he could treat them like that when they had no sense of responsibility Although they had betrayed him when they faced difficulty right after the resurrection, he went to Galilee and started to fulfill his responsibility The character of Jesus, who raised them up to be unchanging disciples even when he was going over the hill of death, is an admirable character we should learn from today.

That is not all. We should understand that in addition to his disciples at that time, he was taking responsibility for the countless saints who came after him, and for us, 2,000 years later. The history of restoration is the history of the whole. Because God's will is saving the whole, Jesus has taken responsibility for the whole of humanity.

Jesus Christ, the Pride of God
May 16, 1956

What is the resurrection of Jesus? It is not merely the issue of whether his body rose out of the tomb. That is but a small part. The most significant aspect is the resurrection of Jesus' heavenly principle and his God-centered love.

God and the Building of the Kingdom of God
April 17, 1977

Jesus' resurrection was the first representation of the glory of heaven and the glory of victory won in the fight with Satan in the 4,000-year history Because Jesus had demonstrated the standard of victory on the spiritual and substantial level, God raised the deceased Jesus to unfold another dispensation. Through the crucifixion, Jesus took on the responsibility for the 4,000-year history of the dispensation and the responsibility of the ancestors. Representing the glory of heaven, he ascended to heaven. This is what the resurrection and ascension are about. Similarly, Jesus came with the purpose to show substantially the internal glory of God on the earth. In other words, he came to demonstrate fully the glory of God. The complete glory combines the internal and external glory. This is the mission that Jesus came to fulfill.

Like Jesus, Let Us Return the Glory of Resurrection to God
May 27, 1956

Satan exercised his maximum power to crucify Jesus, there-by attaining the goal he had sought throughout the 4,000-year course of history On the other hand, by delivering Jesus to Satan, God set up as compensation the condition to save sinful humanity. How did God achieve this? Because Satan had already exercised his maximum power in killing Jesus, according to the principle of restoration through indemnity, God was entitled to exercise his maximum power. While Satan uses his power to kill, God uses his power to bring the dead to life. As compensation for Satan's exercise of his maximum power in killing Jesus, God exercised his maximum power and resurrected Jesus. God thus opened the way for all humanity to be engrafted with the resurrected Jesus and thereby receive salvation and rebirth.

Exposition of the Divine Principle
Moses and Jesus 3.3.1.1

Mary Cries Out To Jesus - Morning Devotion on May 28, 2024

Mary Cries Out To Jesus

"They have taken my Lord away;" she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her; "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father: Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father and your Father; to my God and our God."

John 20:12-17

When Mary Magdalene went to look for Jesus right after his resurrection, Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father." (John 20:17) Nevertheless, Jesus appeared before Mary Magdalene because she had the heart that could console him. Similarly, only when you comprehend the ideal and will of heavenly principle transcending yourselves will Jesus manifest himself to your comprehending heart. If you listen to the words of God and can convey them on his behalf, the Lord will come toward you even if you do not ask him. You should understand that the Lord is motioning with his arms spread out for you to come. God also is doing that.

Let Us Be the Ones Jesus Wants
February 17, 1957

Now we are facing Jesus with the cross standing in between. Someone should resolve the grief and suffering caused by the cross; it is we of today who should do it. Without resolving it, we cannot graft onto Jesus and call him our Bridegroom. This is the reason when Mary Magdalene called out, "Oh Lord!" right after the resurrection, Jesus stopped her. For the simple reason, although Mary wanted to begin life in the kingdom of heaven from the day she met the Lord, life in the kingdom was prohibited for 2,000 years. We should understand this grief from the background of the cross, and we who have faith should bring the solution.

Jesus Is Searching for Us in This Way
May 20, 1956

Resurrection - Morning Devotion on May 27, 2024

The Resurrection

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."

John 11:25

Appearance to Mary Magdalene

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you."

Matthew 28:1-7

Jesus was a true man because he perfectly lived the life of God. He was a walking God. There was no separation between God and Jesus, and because no one can destroy God no one can destroy Jesus Christ. The crucifixion was not his destruction; God manifested the power of resurrection so that the world could see that Jesus was never destroyed.

God's Will and Christmas
December 25, 1976

When Jesus was resurrected, there was not even one disciple who stood guard next to his tomb. Only enemies, the Roman soldiers, were guarding the place. How could this be! Today there are many instances wherein Christianity is not guarding the tomb of Jesus. Enemies, like the Roman soldiers, are guarding it. Is there no group on earth who can encircle the Roman soldiers and long to attend the tomb of Jesus? Even though there were no such people then, among us, the believers, there should emerge many such people.

Who are the ones who could meet the resurrected Jesus? Those who let Jesus die, those who abandoned Jesus and scattered everywhere to wander according to their will could not meet Jesus. After his death, who was the person who went in search for Jesus without eating for three days? Who was groping in darkness not knowing where his body was? The disciples of Jesus should have become this kind of people more than anyone else. However, the three disciples that Jesus loved the most, Peter, James, and John, all returned home. The ones who met Jesus first were the women who searched for Jesus' tomb before dawn. They were Mary Magdalene; Mary the mother of James; and Salome.

They were longing for Jesus, who had been executed as a traitor. Shedding tears for three days and unable to bear it any longer, they came searching for him. They were the first ones to meet the resurrected Jesus. This shows in what direction and how the believers of the last days should act.

We should understand that now is the last days when we should go in desperate search for the tomb of Jesus. The women who were desperately searching for the tomb met the resurrected Lord in place of the Israelite people, who should have met the resurrected Lord first. Today when the resurrected Lord comes on the world level, the ones who can meet the Lord first are those who do not sleep and rest in spite of their desire, which shed tears for heaven while wandering through the mountains and hills with an unsettled heart that cannot be expressed.

If you transcend your life and live a life of anxiety, unrest, and lack of sleep for the sake of the lives of your people and humanity, then the Lord of glory who is coming to this world again will surely come after you. You will be entitled to the glory of receiving the Lord when you are not even aware of it. You have to understand that such a time is approaching.

Let Us Become People Who Participate in the Glory of the Lord
June 16, 1957

National Parents' Day

Greetings from the North Carolina National Parents Day Committee,

The National Parents' Day Council is urging all Americans to celebrate Parents’ Day this year on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

Back in 1994 the bill to establish Parents’ Day was sponsored by Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana and Honorable Floyd Flake, in an act of bipartisanship for a great cause.  It passed both houses without a hitch and was signed into law by President Clinton. The commemoration of Parents Day, a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July since then, has grown in popularity. You can find it on most calendars published today.

Learn more about this holiday at www.parentsday.com

Sunday, July 28^th is officially National Parents Day and you might want to honor the great Parents in your congregation by recognizing them or even your message could be about recognizing the original True Parent, God and His support for True Family Values. Also, please nominate as Parents of the Year a deserving family that you know personally. Go to www.parents day.com. The deadline for nominating families here in North Carolina is July 5^th, 2024

In North Carolina, our Local Parents Day Celebration will be on Saturday, July 20 from 3 to 5:30 pm at 1414 Watts Street in Durham NC. There will be volley ball, games for the kids (bring your own favorite kids games to share), face painting, crafts and of course a free picnic dinner and inspired musicians and speakers.

If you can’t attend personally, Please email the letter or proclamation to johnandsharon40@outlook.com or send a hard copy to me, Sharon Pace at: 907 Bryn Mawr Ct., Apex, N.C., 27502

Sunday Service on May 19, 2024

Triangle Family Church Sunday Service on May 19, 2024

Musical Offering

Sermon

Does Jordan Peterson Believe in God?

The speaker discusses their perspective on the physical resurrection of Christ and the importance of not letting theological differences break relationships. He also talk about the concept of suffering and surrendering to God's will, emphasizing the need to overcome challenges and not play the victim. Key Insights - The speaker acknowledges his own uncertainty regarding the physical resurrection of Christ but emphasizes the importance of not letting theological differences divide relationships. This shows a willingness to recognize differing beliefs and prioritize unity and love. - The concept of suffering is discussed, with the speaker emphasizing the need to surrender to God's will and overcome challenges. He challenge the idea of using suffering as an excuse to become a victim, instead encouraging strength, resilience, and growth. - The speaker shares a personal story of overcoming anger and resentment towards someone who had mistreated him, illustrating the power of surrendering to God and finding healing in sharing his experience with others. - The speaker critiques the idea of viewing God as solely wanting to provide comfort and avoid hurting His children. He argues for a more mature and realistic faith that acknowledges the purpose and value in going through difficult experiences. - The speaker highlights the importance of taking personal responsibility for one's own growth and not blaming others, such as church leaders, for their own struggles. He encourages individuals to let go of anger, resentment, and victimhood, and to focus on personal transformation and living according to God's will. - The speaker emphasizes the significance of unity and love, praying for the dissolution of enmity and hatred. He expresses a desire for God's truth to prevail and for people to practice it in their lives. - The speaker acknowledges his own internal struggle and recognizes that his words are a reminder for himself as well. This shows humility and self-awareness, indicating a willingness to continually grow and improve in his faith journey.

Sunday School: Bible study - Daniel and the Lion's Den

Divine Rescue: Daniel's unwavering faith and consistent service to God led to his miraculous rescue from the lions' den.

Royal Decree: King Darius acknowledged the power of Daniel's God, issuing a decree for all to revere Him after witnessing Daniel's deliverance. 

Loyalty Tested: Despite facing opposition and life-threatening challenges, Daniel remained steadfast in his religious practices. 

Punishment & Patience: God's punishment for disobedience came after years of patience and warnings through prophets.

Descent into Hell - Morning Devotion on May 16, 2024

Descent into Hell

He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day...."

Luke 24:46

In the world of love there is no boundary because love is the most powerful force in the universe. It can go beyond any boundary. Even hell has no boundary that can withstand the power of love. According to Scripture, after the Crucifixion, Jesus Christ spent three days in darkness. Where did he go? He went to the dungeons of hell and preached the gospel for three days.

Satan, the master of men, might have said, "Jesus, you strayed into our cage. I'm going to lock the door; you are my prisoner." But that is impossible: Satan had no power to bind Jesus there. Jesus Christ, the complete manifestation of the love of God, said, "Love your enemy." Therefore, he can even turn hell into heaven, so going in and out of hell is no problem for him. Let's say there is a boundary in the kingdom of God. If there is a person who truly loves God with his heart and mind and soul, would God say to him, "You cannot come in here; you have to have a passport, or you must bring a gift. You cannot come to the throne of God"? Would he be stopped at that point? No.

Boundary Line
December 5. 1976

How could Jesus take charge of hell? If Jesus had assumed the responsibility for the will of God only in its good aspect and died for the sake of God only in its good aspect, then he would have been able to manage the heavenly kingdom, but not hell. Therefore, because Jesus established the heavenly standard by keeping his integrity even in hell, he set the standard of being able to manage hell too.

God's Possession and Our Possession
November 9, 1958

A good man may go to the dungeons of hell for God's purpose, but his quality and value will not be changed by doing so. The important thing is whether he goes down there to bring the people up. He may look the same as people in the evil world, but his motivation is to influence the world of evil to come back to God.

The Bible says that after the Crucifixion, Jesus spent three days in hell before he ascended into heaven. Was he still the Savior during those three days? Yes. Did he go there because he was attracted by life there? No. He went there to bring hell into his realm, which is heaven.

Our Present Position
October 7, 1979

Saints Rise Out Of the Tombs - Morning Devotion on May 15, 2024

The Saints Rise Out Of the Tombs

The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Matthew 27:52-53

It is written in the Bible that in the last Days the dead will rise from their graves:

With the archangel's call and with the sound of the trumpet of God ... the dead in Christ will rise first.

2 Thess. 4:16

We can understand the meaning of this prophecy by examining a similar event, when the dead rose from their tombs at the time of Jesus' death.

Matthew 27:52-53 does not mean that the decomposed bodies of the saints literally rose up from their graves. If the physical bodies of the saints of the Old Testament Age had actually risen from their tombs and appeared before many people in Jerusalem, they would certainly have testified to the people about Jesus, since they already knew that he was the Messiah. After hearing such testimony, who among the inhabitants of Jerusalem would not have believed in the crucified Jesus? Additionally, if the saints really had risen from their tombs in the flesh, then surely their deeds would have been recorded in the Bible. However, we find no such records.

What does the Scripture mean when it says that the bodies of the saints rose from their tombs? This record was made by people who could perceive the spirits of the past saints being resurrected spiritually and appearing on the earth. This is much like Moses and Elijah who, as spirits, briefly appeared before Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. (Matt. 17:3)

Exposition of the Divine Principle
Eschatology 3.2.3

Curtain of the Temple Is Split - Morning Devotion on May 14, 2024

The Curtain of the Temple Is Split

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the socks split.

Matthew 27:51

The Tabernacle was divided into two parts: the holy place (sanctuary) and the most holy place (holy of holies). Only the high priest could enter the most holy place, and only once a year when making the sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. The most holy place was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Here was the place where God made Himself present. It symbolized the spirit of Jesus. The holy place contained a lamp stand, an incense altar, and a table for the bread of the Presence, which were tended daily by the priests. It symbolized the body of Jesus.

Furthermore, the most holy place symbolized the spiritual world, while the holy place symbolized the physical world. When Jesus was crucified, the curtain between the holy place and the most holy place was torn in two, from top to bottom. This meant that Jesus' crucifixion laid the basis for spiritual salvation, when the gate was opened between spirit and flesh, or between heaven and earth.

Exposition of the Divine Principle

Moses and Jesus 2.2.2.3.1