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Rev. Ozawa & Son.
I’m having a good time in Shizuoka, working with and getting to know the Ozawa family.
(2011/10/15)
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Acoustic duo I saw at a charity cafe concert last night. Good times.
In other news, I had 8 students show up for my new English class on Tuesday, and it looks like there will be a good crowd out for tonight’s English Cafe debut. Prayers appreciated.
(posted Oct. 7 2011)
Acts 19:8-20
“A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil
spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their
incantation, saying, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul
preaches, to come out!’ Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were
doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied,
‘I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?'” (Acts 19:13-15 NLT)
outside of a relationship with Jesus. It just doesn’t work. Using
Jesus’ name is not some magical formula. God is not obligated to
answer our prayers because we say certain things in certain ways. Sometimes when we ask God for wisdom or direction for life, victory
over sin, or power for witness or ministry, we don’t receive it.
Could it be that we are seeking God’s gifts instead of seeking God
Himself? I’m sure I’ve been guilty of this. All these blessings are available for us, but they can’t be divorced
from a relationship with Him. Let’s seek the Giver, not just the
gifts.
Acts 18:1-23
主よ。私は弱いです。できないことが多いですが、神様はできます。私の強さになてください。今日、導いてください。一人ではなくて感謝しています。
“But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads. I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:6)
When Paul — or, more accurately, Paul’s message — was rejected, he simply moved on. And like Paul, we are not responsible for people’s responses. That is between them and God. We are responsible to be faithful to what God has called us to do.
“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” (Acts 18:10-11 NLT)
The good news is that we are not alone. We have each other. And, even more, God is with us. We don’t have to live or minister in our own strength.
Dear Lord, I am weak. Be my strength today. Help me to be faithful to do what You call me to do, and to trust You to do what no one else can. Thank You that I am not alone.
Almost-October Prayer Letter
Hi everyone,
I’m sending my October prayer letter a little early, as you can see. This is because there are some new ministries starting in early October that need your prayers. Please read and pray! But first, some things to be thankful for…This month I’m thankful because:
• 2 new (non-Christian) students joined my Saturday English class this past week. We now have 30 students — over 1/3 of whom are from outside the church!
• One of my non-Christian students came to prayer meeting for the first time last week.
• I had the opportunity to minister through testimony and music to the youth at our area reatreat a couple of weeks ago. It was a fun and encouraging time for all! • One of the guys from Nagoya-Higashi Church youth group recently gave his heart to the Lord! You may remember me telling you about this group of about 10 teens, all from non-Christian backgrounds. This is the first to make a profession of faith. PTL! Please pray for: • 2 new English programs we’re starting at the Nagoya church: a weekly class for beginners (starting Oct. 4) and a monthly “English Cafe” (starting Oct. 7). The Cafe is an informal time of practicing English over coffee, snacks and games, and is aimed at people of a slightly higher level English abililty. Please pray that conversations turn naturally to spiritual things. • I’ve been invited to another church in Shizuoka to do some kids ministry the weekend of Oct. 15-16. Pray for safe travel and effective ministry. • Please keep praying for my regular English classes, worship leading, and Japanese studies as well. Thank you for partnering with me in this ministry. Spiritual bridges are being built in Japan, and you are helping to build them!– Robin (2011/09/27)
Acts 17:1-15
“And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” (Acts 17:11 NLT)
The Bereans are commended here for being open-minded. But it’s interesting to note that they didn’t just listen and blindly believe what they were taught. They studied the Scriptures for themselves. They compared what they were being taught to the Word to see if it lined up. They thought for themselves. Being open-minded doesn’t mean blindly accepting whatever we’re taught. But it does mean we listen. Then, we search and study and pray to arrive at the truth. And true faith isn’t blind or mindless either. It includes this kind thinking and searching and asking. I think that such wrestling with big ideas and questions is part of what it means to have faith. These struggles can increase our faith. We may never know all the answers to all our questions, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask.Acts 16
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the other prisoners were listening.” (Acts 16:25 NLT)
throne in prison. When I’m stressed or lonely or afraid, is it my
first reaction to turn to God in prayer and worship? Or is that a
last resort? It’s so easy in our comparatively small trials to let
ourselves look to other things for comfort. But God is our comfort
and strength in hard times, as well as our constant companion in
everyday life. So why wait? In good times or bad, let’s seek the Lord. Let’s
worship Him because He’s worthy, no matter what we’re going through.
As we do, we can be a light to those around us, as Paul and Silas were
to their fellow prisoners and their captors.
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Yukata Party. Okay, not really a party. Just me hanging out with some youth (in our hotel-provided yukatas) before bed Sunday night at the retreat I was ministering at. Good times.
(posted 2011/09/24)
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The calm after the storm. Taken yesterday, from my balcony, after the typhoon had passed Nagoya.
(2011/09/22)
Good News & a Prayer Request
The Good News: I got my visa extension, and it’s good for 3 more years! Thanks for praying!
The Prayer Request: Tomorrow and Monday is Chukyo Seikai — an annual retreat for the Immanuel Churches in our area. I am helping out with the youth programs with music and a testimony. Please pray for my ministry and for all involved in this event; for safe travel and changed lives.
Thanks!
(Posted on Sat. Sept. 17 2011)