by Whitey | Mar 30, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
In yesterday’s devotional writing, I didn’t talk about the ‘unforgivable’ sin mentioned in Numbers 15:30-31. After Masaru-sensei’s message at prayer meeting last night, though, I think I have a clearer understanding. In these verses it talks about someone sinning “defiantly” and thus being guilty of blasphemy, his guilt remaining on him. No sacrifice is prescribed. In today’s passage we see this law in action, in verses 32-36, where a man breaks the Sabbath and is stoned to death for it. This seems really harsh, but the point is clear: sin (any sin) is serious.
But what makes some sins unforgivable? This is similar to what Jesus says about in the New Testament when He talks about ‘blasphemy against the Holy Spirit’. The issue, as I understand it, is not the particular sin, but the heart of the person who commits it.
God is capable of forgiving even the worst of sinners. Jesus’ sacrifice is more than enough. All it takes on our part is repentance. That sounds easy enough. But repentance is more than just saying “I’m sorry” — true repentance includes turning away from sin and turning toward God. Asking for forgiveness without a willingness to change (or be changed) is not true repentance.
Sin is serious. May we always remember that. May we not fall into sin thinking, “It’s OK because God will forgive me anyway.” No, may we avoid it like the plague. And keep pursuing Jesus.
We need reminders. Verses 37-41 talk about this. For the Israelites it was tassels on the clothing. What should it be for you and me? Whatever it is, may we never forget how serious sin is, how much of a sacrifice Jesus’ death was, and how great and loving our God is.
“I am the Lord you God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord your God.” (Numbers 15:41)
by Whitey | Mar 29, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
When I read the Old Testament Law, it always seems so complicated. There seems to be a rule about everything. Of course, positive side of that is that God cares about every aspect of our lives. His love is thorough, desiring to do a good work in ever little part of our lives. This is something to be thankful for.
In Numbers 15, God outlines different kinds of sacrifices for different kinds of sin; intentional and unintentional. There are other sacrifices explained in other parts of the Law as well. As I said: complicated. But sin runs deep and needs to be dealt with.
The good news is, Jesus Christ came to replace all of those sacrifices with His own. Jesus is the ONE sacrifice that covers ALL of our sins — intentional and unintentional, seen and unseen, past, present and future. ALL are covered by Christ’s ONE sacrifice. It’s thorough, touching every area of our lives.
Thank you, Lord, that You care about every area of our lives. Thank You that made a way through Jesus to deal with sin and the effects of sin in every part of us. Thank You for forgiveness, thank You for cleansing. Help me to not take it for granted today. Help me to walk in the light of Your love today. Amen.
God’s love is thorough.
by Whitey | Mar 29, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
「…他国の人も、主の前には、あなたがたと等しくなければならない。」（１５）
皆は違います。違う国、違う文化、違う弱点、違う力、違う罪があります。でも、いつも同じ神様に同じ愛や恵みを受けられます。感謝しています。
“…You and the alien shall be the same before the Lord.” (vs. 15)
We are all different. We have different home countries, cultures, strengths, weaknesses and sins. But, from the unchanging God we can all receive the same love and grace. Thank God for that.
by Whitey | Mar 28, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
In this passage, after seeing the Lord’s disapproval at their lack of faith, some of the Israelites changed their minds. They chose to enter the Promised Land after all. But God was not behind this action, and so they failed. They’d missed their opportunity to receive God’s promises. He would not bless their attempts to take the Land in their own strength.
I’m reminded of the time King David wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God said no. David’s son would have that privilege. Sometimes we want to do great things in Jesus’ name, but not according to His will or timing. The thing we have mind — a ministry, a career choice, a relationship — may be good, but if God is not in it, it will fail. And maybe, once we get past the disappointment of God saying no to our ‘brilliant’ idea, we’ll find He has something a lot better in mind.
The question is, do we really believe that God’s plans are better than ours?
by Whitey | Mar 23, 2011 | Thoughts, Uncategorized
God had Moses send spies into the Promised Land. 10 of them came back afraid of the enemies they saw; only 2 of them had faith to believe that God could help them conquer them. How often do I focus on the risks, the needs, the negatives? God would have me focus on His promises, His presence, His provisions.
Israel missed out on God’s best for them because of fear. It would take 40 years before they would enter the Promised Land. An entire generation missed their opportunity.
How often do we let fear control us? How much do we miss out on because we are afraid to take risks?
The current disaster in Japan has been a huge reminder of just how short and fragile life is. Life is too short, the future too uncertain, to let fear hold us back from living the lives God wants us to live.
by Whitey | Mar 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
CRASHって、何ですか？（日本語）What is CRASH? (Japanese with English subtitles)
(posted March 21, 2011)
by Whitey | Mar 21, 2011 | Ministry News
Monday, March 21, 2011:
I’ve been in Tokyo for about a week now, volunteering at the CRASH command center. I feel like my role has been small, but it’s still been a privilege to serve here. Ever since the 11th, I had a huge burden to do something to help those who were suffering in the affected areas.
I ended up doing IT work at CRASH command center. While part of me would much rather have been up in Sendai, getting my hands dirty, delivering relief supplies and personally helping those in need, I realize that those going out need support from a well-run headquarters as well. One thing that impresses me about CRASH is that they are not simply sending a bunch of people into the fray, as quickly as possible, with no plan. A lot of help has been sent in a short amount of time, but the leaders of CRASH have a long-term plan as well, and aren’t sending relief teams in unprepared. They realize that there is going to be a lot work to be done for at least 6 months to a year.
God is blessing this endeavor. Good things are happening. Here are a few:
1. The command center has grown from around 20-30 people a week ago to over 100 this week, all of whom are volunteers or supported missionaries.
2. Samaritan’s Purse partnered with CRASH to deliver over 90 tons of relief supplies via airplane to Sendai. We needed 40 trucks to pick up and deliver the goods, and in a matter of hours the trucks were found and sent into action.
3. Besides Samaritan’s Purse, there are a number of other big American churches and organizations choosing to partner with CRASH because CRASH is Japan-based and knows the culture, the land and the language.
4. As of this morning we had one base in Sendai set up, with 5 relief teams on the ground. Within the next few months that will multiply to 5 bases with 80 sub-bases and a rotating cast of 1000 volunteers.
5. All of CRASH’s work is done in partnership with local churches in and near the affected areas. Our intel team has been on the phone constantly the past week with churches about what their needs and the needs of their communities are, and how we can work together to share God’s love with those in need. There is an amazing amount of unity in the Body of Christ as the Church responds to this crisis.
‘Greater things are yet to come…’
by Whitey | Mar 16, 2011 | Ministry News
Things are going well, considering we are cramming 2 months work into a few days. I have been basically doing IT work, helping our leaders get set up to communicate with each other, donors and volunteers. I have also been helping with some of the database and website stuff necessary to stay organized and get the word out.
Jonathan Wilson (CRASH founder/director) really knows what he’s doing, and there are a lot of really really dedicated volunteers here, many of whom are missionaries like me, who dropped all their normal responsibilities to do this.
We are sending out our first team to set up a base camp tomorrow morning at 7. Please pray.
(Wed. Mar. 16, 2011)
by Whitey | Mar 14, 2011 | Ministry News
Well, it was a bit of a challenge getting here, but I’ve safely arrived in Higashi-Kurume, Tokyo. They are scheduling rotating blackouts throughout the city to conserve power, so some of the train lines were not operating. I got within a 2-hour walk or a 30-minute taxi ride, so I opted for the taxi, even though it was ridiculously expensive.
Before deciding to take the taxi, I was going to stop at a fast food joint for lunch, but the power was out and all the restaurants in the neighborhood were closed. Convenience stores were open but the shelves were almost empty.
The amazing thing is how safe and calm everything is in spite of the disruptions. If this were another country, there would be looting and rioting in the streets.
I’m working at CRASH’s command center, helping with communications. Basically we are trying to organize and mobilize the potentially thousands of volunteers that will helping with the relief efforts, and trying to ensure that the teams sent out into the affected areas are able to communicate with HQ. Lots of logistics to be worked out; lots of learning on the go. Please pray for things to go smoothly, especially as we have to continue working around power outages.
I’ll try to keep you posted. For more frequent, shorter updates you can follow my twitter feed.
(Mon. Mar. 14, 11:20 PM)
by Whitey | Mar 13, 2011 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
I woke up to the news this morning that the Immanuel Church’s annual conference has been canceled.
I am about to hop a bullet train to Tokyo. I’ve been asked to help set up and coordinate communications for the Christian relief group that is setting up their base there. I will still be far from the disaster zone but able to lend some practical help, which is something I’ve been champing at the bit to do since this whole ordeal began.
Please keep praying. I will try to update my blog, Facebook and Twitter feeds regularly so if you want the most up-to-date info on what I’m involved with, those are the places to look.
Thanks,
robin
(Mon. AM Mar. 14)
