The reasons to praise the LORD

Psalm 147:1-20
September 27, 2015, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The author of this psalm said, "How good it is to sing praises to our God." Why is it good to praise the LORD?

Firstly, because the LORD is worthy to be praised. The LORD is great and He can determine the number of the stars and call them each by name. Nothing is impossible with Him. The more we know about the nature of the LORD, we cannot help praising Him.

Secondly, because the LORD delights in our praise. He is pleased with those who praise and trust Him. In contrast, He would feel sorrow if we grumbled many times and didn't trust Him as the people of Israel in the past. I wonder which we are?

Thirdly, because the LORD makes us win a victory over spiritual battles. Satan makes us doubt God's love and power. However, we are doing the best defense when we are praising the LORD. That results in winning a victory over spiritual battles.

I wonder how much we are praising the LORD every day. How much time do we ensure to do so? With joy and thanks from the heart, let us be such ones who always praise the LORD!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Praise the LORD (HalleluJah). How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Psalm 147:1 (NIV)

The widow's offering

Mark 12:41-44
September 20, 2015, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

When Jesus was watching the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury, he admired the offering made by a poor widow. Let's learn from here.

Firstly, the LORD knows even our small works. As for the amount of her offering, it was very small. However, it was all her money she had to live on. The Lord knew the hidden sides, which could not be known from the amount of offering. So the LORD knows even all the small works we offer.

Secondly, the LORD protects us and sustains us. The widow must have believed that the LORD would feed her even she put all her money. It is important also for us to believe the protection of the LORD and to obey the word even though we are put into the situation where the future is uncertain.

Thirdly, the LORD wants our dedication. She gave all she had, not some out of what she had. The Lord gave his everything to us. Likewise, we are being hoped to live a giving life with dedication.

To what extent of dedication are we, as the saved ones, responding to the LORD? It doesn't matter if it's small. Let us be such ones who are pleased to give ourselves.

<The Verse of the Bible>

They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty,put in everything-all she had to live on.

Mark 12:44 (NIV)

The secret of a blessed life

Psalm 1:1-6
September 13, 2015, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Anyone wishes to have a good life. Today's passage says the secret how to have a good step in life. How can man have a blessed life?

The first is to avoid evil ways. Man is not supposed to fall away rapidly but to be drawn to evil gradually. Thus, it is important to be on the watch and to get away from evil ways actively.

The second is to delight in the word, to long for the word first. Not to say anything about the worship service, but also devotion, a daily personal worship, is indispensable. And to meditate the word day and night. It is important not to keep the word of Christ somewhere, but to let it dwell in our heart.

When you have these things in mind and practice them, your heart is getting rich, and you can have a fruitful life. Man tries to find happiness in various things, but the key is in the word of God. Let us be such ones who delight in the word and practice it, and have a blessed life.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

Psalm 1:1 (NIV)

The hypocrisy of the teachers of the law

Mark 12:38-40
September 6, 2015, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Jesus told the disciples to watch out for the teachers of the law. That was also a teaching not to be like them. What should we watch out for to walk?

The first is to be conscious not how people value us, but how God does. They liked to wear flowing robes. They liked to be highly valued by people. We sometimes find ourselves worrying how people value our service work which we began for the LORD. Not that, but we should be conscious how much we are pleased by the LORD and give.

The second is to be humble in God's sight. They liked the places of honor at banquets. Because they thought they deserved it. We must not forget that being humble is the secret to get the blessing from the LORD.

The third is to fear God. They devoured poor widows' houses. We can say it was an ungodly way. We should fear the LORD and walk any time.

It is not to please the LORD to walk in worries how people value us or see us. Let us always be conscious of the LORD and walk to be pleased by Him.

<The Verse of the Bible>

As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law."

Mark 12:38 (NIV)