The true light that gives light to everyone

John 1:9
December 25th 2016, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The true light, Jesus Christ, was coming into this world. What kind of light is he?

Firstly, he is the light that gives light to our existence. The light was given to the shepherds who were despised in those days. The Lord has come in order to love everyone.

Secondly, he is the light that makes us aware of our sins. Sinners walk to the darkness away from God, and their ruin is awaiting ahead. They need the solution of their sins. God gives the light of the word and makes us aware of our sins.

Thirdly, he is the light that gives us hope. The Lord died as the substitute for us who should have been judged and sent to eternal pains. We will be saved just by believing in him. And we will walk with God.

When we welcome him into our mind, our steps will be changed from the darkness to the light. Let us open our mind today, welcome Christ and walk in the light!

<The Verse of the Bible>

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

John 1:9 (NIV)

The prayer for the Philippians church

Philippians 1:9-11
December 18th 2016, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The contents of Paul's intercessory prayer toward the Philippians church are described here.

First is that they may abound in love more and more. Deep understanding toward the word is necessary for this and then love should abound by true knowledge.

Second is that they may be able to discern what is truly best. There are a lot of choices before us. We need the eyes to make sure whether what God’s will is or not among them. With this in mind, we need to learn the word and be clothed with it.

Third is that they may be filled with the fruit of righteousness. To be ready for the day of Christ’s coming, we may be pure, not cause anyone to stumble and to be filled with the fruit of righteousness. When we trust the word walk while committing ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, the LORD himself will make us bear fruit.

Paul was earnestly interceding for the brothers and sisters of the Philippians church. Let us also be such ones who pray these points for ourselves and others, without being content with the current situation.

<The Verse of the Bible>

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)

To Share in God's grace together

Philippians 1:3-8
December 11th 2016, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

We can see that Paul was rejoicing to remember three graces:

Firstly, it was the grace to have a partnership in the gospel together. In the beginning, Paul was persecuting Christians but he was changed to a man to preach the gospel. The brothers and sisters of the church at Philippi were also changed o support his missions. They rejoiced to have the wonderful right to do so. Let us also remember this grace and keep sharing in preaching the gospel actively.

Secondly, it was the grace to intervene together. He was praying in prison for the brothers and sisters of the church at Philippi. When we pray for others, the LORD blesses us and fills us with joy.

Thirdly, it was the grace to be lead to completion together. Once the LORD starts working, He never stops on the way. He leads us to completion. Thus, we should not be discouraged to see the current situations of ourselves and others.

We are also sharing in these wonderful graces. Let us be such ones who see these graces and walk!

<The Verse of the Bible>

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Servants of Christ Jesus

Philippians 1:1
December 4th 2016, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Paul wrote a letter in prison to the brothers and sisters of the church at Philippi. We can see that this letter is filled with his joy.

First, as for Paul's self-introduction, he called himself a servant of Christ Jesus. A servant is a slave. He didn't say in a negative meaning of it. One meaning is that he was bought by the Lord. We were also bought at the price, which is the life of Christ. The other meaning is that he has been called to be wonderful one's own. Slaves measured the value of themselves by the social status of their masters. We want to remember that we have been called to be servants of a wonderful one, Jesus.

Next, as for the receiver, he called the brothers and sisters at Philippi saints. That doesn't mean they had no sin, but they were chosen and set apart by God. We are also in such a position of grace. The important thing is not our environment.

The most important is, by whom we have been called to be his own, whose servant we have been. Let us walk joyfully as servants of the Lord!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

Philippians 1:1 (NIV)

Preparations to eat the Passover meal

Mark 14:12-16
January 17th 2016, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

At the Passover feast, the disciples tried to make preparations to eat the Passover meal. Let us have the teachings of 3 points from here.

The first is that the plans of the Lord are trustworthy. Though the chief priests had decided to kill Jesus, they thought they would avoid the time of the Feast. But Jesus was crucified and died at the time of the Feast, since there happened the betrayal by Judas. That was the plan of the eternal LORD. Although something different from the thoughts of man could happen sometimes, let us remember that there are the plans of the LORD and they are trustworthy.

The second is that we should follow the word of the LORD even if we can’t understand it. The disciples were able to find a room which was furnished and ready when they followed exactly what the Lord said. They did it, and that was not after the situations got ready.

The third is that we should offer better things for the LORD. The original Bible text reveals the faith and dedication of the house owner. Let us not spare ourselves, but offer better things for the LORD.

The Lord offered himself for us. Let us be such ones who offer the utmost of ourselves for the Lord.

<The Verse of the Bible>

The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:16 (NIV)

Growing up spiritually

Hebrews 5:12-6:2
January 10th 2016, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Today is the day to bless those who have newly reached adulthood together. Still, all of the Christians need to grow spiritually and become spiritually adults.

Let us begin with seeing the conditions of being spiritually infants. They are dull of hearing. They need someone to teach them the elementary truth of God’s word. They can’t eat solid food. And they are unstable. These things are common aspects of spiritually infants and they tend to stumble easily. But spiritually adults are not so. They deal with things by God’s word and trust in the LORD. Their steps are stable.

Then, how can we become spiritually adults?

The first is not to be satisfied with the current situation. It means to walk with the spiritual goals.

The second is to throw away the unnecessary things and have the necessary things. The matters on human relationships are listed here. By throwing away these sins, we can obtain the necessary things. The necessary things are the word of the LORD and the fellowship with the LORD himself. It is important how actively we try to obtain it.

This year, let us grow up spiritually with the definite goals and let us be changed into the ones like Jesus as much as possible.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.

Hebrews 6:1 (NIV)

To humble ourselves before the LORD

1 Peter 5:5-6
January 3rd 2016, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The Bible consistently tells us that the LORD gives grace to the humble before Him. What does it mean to be humble?

The first is to be in the condition of being poor in spirit. Jesus said on the mountain, "Blessed are the poor in spirit." They are such people who recognize themselves as powerless and trust in the LORD. He gives plentiful blessings to such people.

The second is to have a humble mind to repent. The LORD points out our sins through the word, through the Holy Spirit and through the people. The LORD wants us to repent humbly in these occasions.

The third is to seek the glory of God. We unconsciously tend to seek honor for ourselves. But it is not the will of the LORD. To make ourselves little and seek the glory of the LORD is the humble attitude before the LORD.

This year, it is very important whether we walk humbly before the LORD or not. Let us ask the LORD for his help also in this regard, and be such ones who grow in humility more than ever.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are elder. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)