1 John 2:15-27

“Do not love the world.” (vs.15)

The “love” John talks about here is not really love at all, since the “world” he speaks of is not the people around us but the sinful things of this world. To love those things is a selfishness that ignores not only God’s commands but also His love for us. “For if anyone lives the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (vs. 15)

The solution, then, to our “love” for the world is found in receiving the Father’s love. May we continue to live in His love — “remain in him” (vs. 27) — today.

New Devotional Blog

At our church we follow a Bible reading plan and share our thoughts via cell phone email. I’ve decided to share my thoughts on a blog as well, thus this new Poserous site. It will be a mix of Japanese and English. Here’s my first post…

昨日、先生たちの励ます話のおかげで、でボワかメールをすることにさました。今から頑張りますが、ときどき英語ばかりで書いて、ごめんなさい。少しずつ日本語で書くようになります。では…

What does it mean to “walk in the light?” I think part of what it means is to live our lives in the open, with no secrets or shame. When God’s light shines on us, we see our sin and feel ashamed. But then Jesus comes in as both the high priest and sacrifice for our sins. Because of this we can live a life free of shame, with no secrets, “in the light” in front of other people. That is how I want to live. Father, let Your light shine on me today.

ロビン

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Wednesday AM English Class, shot last week. If everyone showed up at once, there would be 10 students.

(posted Feb. 2, 2011)

February Prayer Letter

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your continuing prayers and support this past month. I hope you’ve all been doing well and staying warm. I’ve had a good month getting back into the swing of things after the holidays. Here’s what’s been going on…

My weekly English classes are continuing to go well. We now have 10 students in the Wednesday class and 8 in the Saturday one, and over half are people from outside the church. Our monthly English Club had a smaller crowd this month, partly due to the unusually snowy weather that day, but it was a diverse and fun crowd, a couple of whom were visitors. I also had the opportunity to lead worship at our church. I’ve been asked to do this once a month from now on, which will be good challenge, and help me stretch my ability to do ministry in Japanese.

Meanwhile, I’ve been working on some planning and preparing for the year to come, including a new kids’ English class. Things also continue to move forward in the manga ministry project I am a part of. I hope to have some exciting things to announce about this in the next month or two.

Please pray with me this month for the following things:

1. Please pray that these English ministries will continue to help the Nagoya Church connect with unchurched people in our community.
2. Please pray particularly that we can find ways to promote and make the English Club grow, as it is at this event that many may hear the Gospel for the first time.
3. Also, as I mentioned, we are starting a class for kids in March, so pray that preparations and prmotions throughout February go well.
4. Please pray for me as I prepare this week and lead worship next Wednesday.
5. The manga project: please pray for that and the many details we’re working out.
6. Finally, pray that God will help me meet new Christian friends outside of church events and activities.

Thank you!

– Robin

(posted Feb. 1, 2011)