Greet

Philippians 4:21-22
April 29th 2018, 5th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

We will learn from the ending part of the epistle. What was the messages he wanted say through the greetings?

First was that they were remembered by everyone. He told them that so many people - such as the brothers and sisters with him, all the saints, those who belonged to Caesar's household - remembered the brothers and sisters in the church at Philippi and he tried to encourage them.

Second was that every one of them was remembered. Not as a whole. Every one of them was remembered. The LORD remembers us just like that.

Third was that he kept them in mind and was concerned about them. "Greet" means to care for. The LORD always keeps us in mind and cares for us.

We tend to think that we are walking our lives alone, but it is not correct. The LORD always keeps us in mind and is concerned about us. Let us remember the facts and try to talk to one another!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Greet all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.

Philippians 4:21 (NIV)

Be glory to God for ever and ever

Philippians 4:20
April 22nd 2018, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Upon ending the epistle, Paul prayed that be glory to God. Let us learn three points from here.

First is to recognize that the source of all blessings is in God. Paul rejoiced and thanked for the support from the church in Philippi, and he recognized all of them were given and lead by the LORD. We also need to recognize that all things are given from the LORD.

Second is to glorify God and Father. God wants us humans not to glorify ourselves, but glorify God. And all of us should live for the glory of God.

Third is to say Amen together in one spirit. Amen means "Yes, it surely is." "It's true." It is truly blessed that all the saved ones can say Amen in one spirit.

Let us lead our lives to glorify the wonderful Savior we believe!

<The Verse of the Bible>

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:20 (NIV)

The LORD, who will meet all our needs

Philippians 4:19
April 15th 2018, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Paul thanked for the support from the church in Philippi, and after talking about spiritual blessings, he told them that God would meet all their needs. Let us learn three important things from today’s passage.

First is to seek the riches of His own glory. The riches of this world can be the seeds of strife, and above all, they are easily gone. However, the riches of God's glory lead us to the blessed walk and we can have them eternally.

Second is to fix our eyes to our personal God. He is the God of all human beings, and at the same time, He is our personal God as well. He allows us to call Himself "My God".

Third is to remember that God will meet all our needs. It is obvious if we see the cross. We can say that the LORD, who gave us even the life of His Son, will surely meet all our needs.

God personally looks at us and feeds us. He leads us. He encourages and strengthens us. Also in the new fiscal year, let us walk our lives while trusting in Him!

<The Verse of the Bible>

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

When we face a new land

Deuteronomy 6:1-13
April 8th 2018, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Now we have come into a new fiscal year, and I guess some of you have come into a new environment. What do we need when we face a new land?

First is not to forget the LORD. The Israelites were supposed to live in the well-watered land, and there was a danger for them to forget the LORD because they may devote themselves to their matters for living such as gaining crops. There is the same kind of danger for us as well. We always need to acknowledge the LORD while walking our lives.

Second is to serve the LORD. It is to know the mind of the LORD and follow Him by humbling ourselves. Otherwise, we will serve worldly things.

Third is to fear the LORD. We tend to fear people, but the important thing is to walk our lives while fearing the LORD. And then, one can walk the right, blessed way.

The environment surrounding us will change. Nevertheless, whatever environment we are in, let us always look up the LORD and walk our lives while remembering these three things!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

Deuteronomy 6:3 (NIV)

Peace in Easter

John 20:19-20
April 1st 2018, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Jesus was crucified on a cross and died. The Lord who is resurrected had appeared to the disciples and said, "Peace be with you!" When we remember the resurrected Lord, peace will be given to us. Let us learn the reasons.

Firstly, because the resurrected Lord gives us rest. Whatever the burdens, we can go to the Lord and unload onto Him. The living Lord carries our burdens.

Secondly, because the resurrected Lord guides us properly. The Lord is omniscient and he guides us properly even when we are lost.

Thirdly, because the resurrected Lord gives us the solution towards death. No matter how a person is strong, death will come to him/her. There is God’s judgment waiting after death. However, those who believed the resurrected Lord can pass through death with the Lord and go to the kingdom of heaven.

When we remember the resurrected Lord, the peace of the Lord will be given. Let us firmly remember the resurrected Lord, and walk in peace!

<The Verse of the Bible>

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

John 20:19 (NIV)