Quiet Time
Shot on my iPhone early one recent morning.
Psalm 116
“私は神様を愛しています。 なぜなら、祈りを聞いてくださるからです。身を乗り出して聞いてくださる神様に、私は生きている限り祈り続けます。” (詩篇 116:1, 2 JLB)
最近も一度祈りの大切さと力を思い出しています。この箇所のように祈ります。自分の毎日生活に祈りをもっと大切にしたい。 “I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1, 2 NLT) I don’t have much to say about this verse, other than that it goes along with what God has already been reminding me of lately: the importance and power of prayer. This Psalm is my prayer today. I want to make prayer a more important part of my life.Jonah 4
“But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” (Jonah 4:11 NLT)
Japan has more than 120 million people… And yet, how often do I, like Jonah, get distracted by my own needs and wants, and forget why I’m here? How often do I complain rather than give thanks? How often do I act like God owes me something? How often are my prayers short and weak and all about myself? Lord, please forgive me, and help me to see the world from Your perspective.Jonah 2 & 3
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” (Jonah 3:10 NIV)
Our God is a God of love and grace. After Jonah disobeyed and ran away, God could have just killed him off and found someone else to send to Ninevah. But He gave Him another chance. And when the people if Ninevah repented, God had mercy on them as well, and withheld the punishment they deserved. And God is gracious to us as well, even when we run away. Yet many miss out on this grace… “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.” (Jonah 2:8 NIV) If our arms (lives) are full of other stuff — idols — we can’t receive God’s gift of grace. We don’t need to earn forgiveness, but receiving that gift requires letting go and opening up our hands (hearts) to His love. Believers, though forgiven, sometimes miss out on God’s best. Sometimes we let our lives get cluttered up with other things, and don’t give God the space He needs to live and work. Father God, may I keep my arms (heart, life) open so I can receive Your gift of grace and love today. May nothing get in Your way.Acts 28:16-31
Sometimes I go through phases when I read the Bible but can’t seem to engage with it. I don’t “get anything out of it.” I guess that’s probably normal, to an extent. Everyone has their days.
But through today’s passage, and especially Paul’s Old Testament quote, I’m reminded that sometimes the reason we don’t hear God is simply because we’re not listening. And sometimes we don’t want to. Sometimes we allow our hearts to grow cold and hard, and we’re not open to His teaching and leading. Dear Lord, soften my heart today, so that I may be open to the changes You may want to make there. Open my spiritual eyes and ears, that I may hear and see and obey. Forgive me for the days I’m not open to Your teaching and leading. I know Your will is also my best. Change my heart, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.Untitled
Wadaiko! Spotted while leaving Starbucks the other day…
And I just realized how apt a description of modern Japan that is. East meets west, ancient meets modern, all within a walk around the corner.
(2011/10/20)
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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.