Things that keep us from being thankful

Psalm 107:1
December 31st 2017, 5th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

God wants us to be thankful, but we wonder and consider if we are actually less thankful. What keeps us from being grateful?

Firstly, it is from taking things for granted. Although we are given lots of protections and grace every day, we take them for granted, that's why we thank God less.

Secondly, it is from comparing. When we compare us with others, we fall into either pride or jealousy. We should put our eyes on gifts from God or the plans of God, rather than seeing others.

Thirdly, it is from worrying about the problems. When we see the problems, our minds are troubled and our pleasure and thanks are gone. Therefore, we need to see the Lord who is our shepherd. Then, our worries are gone, we have peace and will be able to walk our lives while thanking God.

Our problems are internal, not external. For a new year, let us surely see Him whom we should see, and live each day while thanking God!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

Christmas, the day of love

2 Corinthian 5:20-21
December 24th 2017, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Christmas is the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the only son of God.

Firstly, the birth of Christ had been prophesied. Ever since the salvation was told about in the beginning of Creation, a lot of prophecies had been made about Messiah. The prophets knew when and where the Savior would be born.

Secondly, humans didn't welcome Christ. Many people were indifferent to him from being busy about their own matters, some people even refused him. That was the attitude of the people towards the Savior.

Thirdly, God stretched out his hand of love. The hand of salvation was stretched out from God to humans who rebel against Him. And He is making an appeal to us so that we will accept this salvation.

Jesus so loves us that he walked his life just like a man and went through sufferings that a man has to go through. That is why he is able to be our savior. Let us walk our lives while responding to this love!

<The Verse of the Bible>

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthian 5:20 (NIV)

Rejoice with me

Philippians 2:17-18
July 9th 2017, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Paul said "even if I am being poured out like a drink offering, I am glad and rejoice." How come he was able to say this?

Firstly because the Lord gave him the all-surpassing great love. Though he was once a persecutor against Christians, the Lord accepted him as he was, and even gave him his life.

Secondly because the Lord gave him the promise of hope. Jesus said that rejoice and be glad when we are persecuted because there is a reward in heaven. There is such the promise of hope.

Thirdly because the blessing of souls is the most joyful thing for the churches in the Lord. Christ loved souls and gave his everything for them. In the same way, the churches in Christ should rejoice most in the salvation of souls and their growth.

Let us examine ourselves what we rejoice in, while we are walking our lives.

<The Verse of the Bible>

So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:18 (NIV)

To work out our salvation

Philippians 2:12
June 11th 2017, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

This verse doesn't say that their salvation is insufficient. They were saved, as it is written "to the saints at Philippi". Still Paul said this so that they would be sanctified more and more.

Firstly, it should be done as individual. Because faith is an individual thing, one need to face God individually, be treated and be sanctified.

Secondly, it should be done as the body of the Lord. Although faith is an individual thing, we have been joined to the church by the Lord's will. Therefore, we need to encourage one another and to be sanctified as a community.

Thirdly, it should be done with fear and trembling. We should not set aside the grace of salvation given from God, but we need to be sanctified by responding to God's grace with awe.

To work out one's salvation is what all Christians should do. Let us continue to work out our salvation together, not taking it as somebody else's problem.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Philippians 2:12 (NIV)

Christ, who was exalted to the highest

Philippians 2:9-11
June 4th 2017, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Paul continues talking in the context of teaching on being like-minded. He is additionally taking up the further steps of Jesus, who humbled himself.

Firstly, when we humble ourselves before God, He will exalt us. God exalted Jesus, who had humbled himself in all respects, to the highest place, and gave him the name that is above every name. The principle of God's treatment is to bring the arrogant low, but to exalt the humble.

Secondly, there will be the time when every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. He is coming again, and then, those who do believe and don't will confess that Jesus is Lord.

Thirdly, we can glorify God when we obey Him. It is when we love the LORD and the brothers and sisters in him while we obey God, then we can glorify the LORD.

We always need to confirm where we are standing before God. Let us walk our lives while humbling ourselves before God.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,

Philippians 2:9 (NIV)

Following the example made by Christ

Philippians 2:5-8
May 28th 2017, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Paul picked up the example of walk of Christ, when he urged the church at Philippi to be like-minded. Let us see how the Lord walked his life.

Firstly, he made himself nothing. He didn’t try to adhere to the equality with God something to be used to his own advantage, rather, he came to this world and made himself in human likeness in order to save us. He threw away the equality with God. When we adhere to our own nature, there arise confrontations.

Secondly, he took the nature of a servant. In spite that he was a man to be served, he walked all his life as a servant, to serve others. We should walk our lives as servants to serve others, following the example of the Lord.

Thirdly, he was obedient to God the Father. He was obedient to the will of his Father rather than his own, and became obedient even to the death on the cross! If we follow the will of God and his teachings, we will be able to walk our lives while we love one another.

We were saved because the Lord lived such a humble life. Let us also walk our lives in the church, imitating the humble example of the Lord. As the result, the problem of disagreement will be solved, and we will be able to walk in unity.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death -- even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV)

Things needed for being like-minded

Philippians 2:3-4
May 21st 2017, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The church at Philippi, which had been supporting Paul, was wonderful, but there was a problem of disagreement within the church.

Things that disturb to be like-minded are selfish ambition and vain conceit. When one will become conceited, e.g., self comes in center and the idea of self is considered the best, he/she will eliminate others.

Then, what is needed for being like-minded?

Firstly, it is to see our own sins. If we see our own sins, we will know how foolish we are, how much we should rely on God, and we will be protected from becoming conceited.

Secondly, it is to look to the interests of others. It means to acknowledge others. Then we will know that the Lord loves and leads them. To extend our hand of love to them is also needed. Because we ourselves have been saved by the hand of love extended from the Lord.

The Lord is not pleased when children of God are confronting each other. He is pleased when they love and forgive each other. Let us confirm if we are in the proper position of mind before God.

<The Verse of the Bible>

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

The third word on the cross

John 19:25-27
May 14th 2017, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Jesus spoke seven words on the cross. Let us learn from his third word today, on Mother's Day.

Firstly, the Lord comforted his mother Mary and took action. How much hard it would have been for the mother Mary to see Jesus crucified. He comforted Mary, anticipated what would be happened on her after that, and left her to the disciple.

Secondly, the Lord advanced the relationship with his mother Mary. He didn't call her as his mother but said to her, "Dear woman." The reason why was Jesus was the Savior for Mary.

Thirdly, the Lord cared about the weak in mind. Here, we take it widely and can say that He bore burdens of the weak in mind. We can say that if He did so even on the cross, how much more, does He care about us now!

On Mother's Day, let us thank and comfort our mother, and at the same time, walk our steps while making our relationships with the Lord much more firmly!

<The Verse of the Bible>

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son,"

John 19:26 (NIV)

Even in the problem out of envy

Philippians 1:15-18
January 22nd 2017, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

A problem was arising, which annoyed Paul who was in chains. There were some people who preached out of envy and rivalry to Paul. Though this attitude was not proper and it could have grieved him, Paul was pleased. Why?

Firstly, because he was hoping that Christ be glorified. Envy is horrible and it destroys human relations. But he was pleased that Christ was preached and glorified anyway.

Secondly, because he was conscious of his own weakness. He said he was the worst of sinners. He was probably conscious that there was a similar sin in himself.

Thirdly, because he was looking at the grace of God. Such people were probably not suited for preaching, but that was the same for Paul. He was being used just by the grace of God. He must have looked at this grace.

We are sometimes thrown into the problem of human relations. However, if we see the one whom we should see, we can walk in victory like Paul!

<The Verse of the Bible>

But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

Philippians 1:18 (NIV)

But actually

Philippians 1:12-14
January 15th 2017, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Paul was in chains, in the condition being tied and having difficulty. It must have been an unbearable situation for him, being a missionary. But that was actually helpful for the gospel to be spread. How did the gospel advance?

Firstly, Christ was preached and made clear. There were guards who kept watching Paul, so he was preaching the gospel to them. He was able to preach it to the people whom he originally couldn't have met.

Secondly, it served to strengthen the other brothers in the Lord. When they heard the news that Paul became in chains, they contrarily got encouraged. Their faith was strengthened.

When we see only what we can see, we tend to get discouraged. However, the plan of the LORD is beyond our ideas and it does something wonderful. What we think difficult would actually serve to be helpful and lead us to the best. Therefore, let us trust in the LORD, expect from Him and walk with Him!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

Philippians 1:12 (NIV)

The praising music in worship services

Psalm 146:2
January 8th 2017, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Praise is very important in worship services. It’s not good to think that anything is acceptable.

Firstly, praise should be devoted to the LORD. It is not something we sing for ourselves or to enjoy ourselves. The object is the LORD and we devote our heartfelt thanks and praising songs to our savior. It is something to give glory to the LORD and please the LORD.

Secondly, it should be something we feel the holiness of the LORD. We may feel different from person to person, but it’s not something to conform to worldly music rhythm and pattern. It should not make wide variety of generation feel uneasy.

Thirdly, the contents of praise should follow the word the LORD. There are something ambiguous which are not different to worldly love songs. Its contents should be based on the word of God.

Praise and clothe tend to be easily compromised. It is all right that ideas differ from church to church but let us go with this concept.

<The Verse of the Bible>

I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Psalm 146:2 (NIV)

What we should trust in

Psalm 20:7
January 1st 2017, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

There is something for each one of us to trust in. The Bible tells us what we must not and should trust in.

First of all, what are the things that we must not trust in?

Firstly, it is our strength. Some trust in their abilities or their possessions. God rejects the proud ones.
Secondly, it is about tomorrow. What we are given is only today. We will be given another new day if it is God’s will. We should thank day by day and walk faithfully before the LORD.

Next, what are the things we should trust in?

Firstly, it is our weakness. The glory of the LORD does appear in our weakness.
Secondly, it is the Lord himself. We should trust in the Lord, who loves us, died on the cross as our substitute, gives us salvation and walk with us.

What we trust in will make a big difference in the steps in our lives. Let us not mistake what we should trust in!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 20:7 (NIV)