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)