Psalm 119:17-32

by | Dec 22, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.” (vs. 20)

It would be awesome if this described me. Sure, I have my moments. But how often am a consumed by other things, distracted from the Word and ways of God? And yet in God’s Word freedom is found.

“I run in the paths of your commands, for you have set my heart free.”

Freedom. We don’t usually think of following commands as bringing freedom, do we? We think of freedom as doing our own thing. But God loves us, and His commands are for our good. And so, with His Word and Spirit and grace, we can follow His commands to freedom.

Today I choose to follow. Please teach me Your ways, Lord, and lead me.

Psalm 118:1-13

by | Dec 19, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

I love the imagery in this Psalm, especially the part about “cutting down” enemies in the name or authority of the Lord. Our battle is not a physical one, but a spiritual one. I think we sometimes forget that, and that the battle is won in prayer and worship. We forget the power we have in Christ. We forget that with fath we can move mountains.

Lord, keep moving mountains in my life. I claim the victory and freedom You’ve already won for me. And I submit to You, my commanding officer. Lead me this week, I pray.

Colossians 4:2-9

by | Dec 16, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” (Colossians 4:2 NLT)

“目をさまして、感謝のうちに祈り、ひたすら祈り続けなさい。” (コロサイ人への手紙 4:2 JA1955)

Here I’m reminded of the importance of prayer. It’s not just another task to be done each day, it’s powerful and worthy of my time.

祈りの大切さを思い出された。普通のやらなければならない用意だけじゃない。力強くて時間を使う価値がある。

Christmas Doin’s

by | Dec 16, 2011 | Uncategorized

If you’re the praying kind, here are 3 things I’d appreciate your prayers about:

1. The youth Christmas party I’m speaking at tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at the Nagoya-Higashi church. It’ll be mostly non-Christian kids and a very Jesus-centric message. Pray for my interpreter too.

2. The Christmas outreach event here at the Nagoya church on Sunday. I’ll be doing some music.

3. My trip to Canada Dec. 23 to Jan. 4. It’s mostly vacation, but live also been asked to speak at my parents’ church, Brown’s Flat Wesleyan on Jan. 1. If you’re near the Beulah Camp grounds, feel free to stop by and hear about what’s been going on in Japan.

Thanks, and happy holidays, everyone.

Colossians 2:6-15

by | Dec 12, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.” (Colossians 2:9 NLT)

「キリストにこそ、満ちみちているいっさいの神の徳が、かたちをとって宿っており」 (コロサイ人への手紙 2:9 JA1955)

As we approach Christmas, this verse comes as a great reminder of what the real gift of Christmas is. God’s greatest gift was Himself. That’s who Jesus is.

これは、クリスマスの本当の意味ですね。神様のプレゼントは自分でした。それは、イエス様です。感謝。

Colossians 1:24-2:5

by | Dec 12, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized

“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:29 NIV)

Here Paul talks about his ministry. It’s something that requires of him a lot of hard work and personal sacrifice. But he’s not alone, and it’s not just with his own strength he labors. It’s Christ’s energy working in and through him.

I want this in my life, too. It can be easy to fall into the habit of treating ministry like it’s “just a job.” Like if I just put in the time and effort, that’s enough, forgetting that God may have a different definition of success, and that that success isn’t possible to achieve on my own.

I can’t create an effective, life-changing ministry on my own. I need God. Yes, I can and should work hard for the cause of Christ. But not in my own strength alone. Like Paul, I need to “strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”