The Blessing to Have Fellowship with Christ

1 John 1:3-4
May 27th 2018, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Let us learn about the blessing to have fellowship with Christ.

The first question is "who is Christ?" He is God that became flesh and appeared to us. Though it was not revealed in the era of the Old Testament, Jesus clearly revealed himself with his own steps.

Then, "what shall we do to have fellowship with Christ?" Firstly, it is to believe in Christ as our own Savior. Secondly, it is to value the two relationships: One is the relationship with the LORD, which means to receive the Word, and to walk our lives with prayers to the LORD. The other is the relationship with the church. It is important to firmly belong to the church which is the body of Christ, and to have relationships with the brothers and sisters.

"What will happen when we have fellowship with Christ?" Complete joy will be given. It does not mean that sufferings will be gone. Even in sufferings, peace and joy, which this world cannot give us, will be given.

The secret to live our faith in blessings depends on how much we have fellowship with Christ. Let us be such ones who have good fellowship with the Lord and have blessed steps in our lives!

<The Verse of the Bible>

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:3 (NIV)

The blessing of those whose hope is in the LORD

Psalm 146:1-10
May 20th 2018, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Our lives will change depending on where we put our hope. First thing to remember is that we should not put our hope in man. Because man is so fleeting. Also, man is so changing.

We should trust in God. Let me tell you two reasons.
Firstly because the LORD is almighty. We can trust in Him because He is the almighty one who created everything in heavens and earth.
Secondly because the LORD is faithful forever. We can trust in Him because He commits no deceit or makes no mistake, and keeps the promise He has made.

Then, what will happen when we put our hope in the LORD? Firstly, He will be our personal Counselor. Secondly, He will set us free from anxiety. Thirdly, He will strengthen the weak and raise him/her up.

We tend to stick to, and put our hope in, things like what we will be and what we have. However, they are not reliable in the true sense of the word. What we should truly trust in is only God alone. Let us trust in Him and have an established life!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
            whose hope is in the LORD their God.

Psalm 146:5 (NIV)

The faith of the mother Eunice

2 Timothy 1:3-5
May 13th 2018, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Let us learn form the faith of the mother Eunice who influenced her son, evangelist Timothy.

Firstly, Eunice had a sincere faith. Timothy's faith was not the one started from him, but the one lived in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, who fully believed in the Lord and walked their lives.

Secondly, Eunice passed her faith on to her son. Timothy must have been taught the word from infancy by Eunice and others. They must have taught him what the faith was like, not only by their words, but also by showing their attitude or the way of lives. Nothing is as influential to children as the faith of their parents.

It is the age of many temptations. Satan is working strongly and he comes to separate Christians from God. Therefore, we seriously have to give this faith on to the next generation. That is way our faith is being asked. Let us also keep passing faith on, like Eunice!

<The Verse of the Bible>

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

The grace of Christ be with you

Philippians 4:23
May 6th 2018, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Paul prayed at the end of the epistle, "The grace of Christ be with your spirit." Let us learn two things from here.

Firstly, let us always remember the grace of Christ while walking our lives. This prayer was to pray that the grace of the Lord be on the church in Philippi, and at the same time, it was also to pray that they always be able to remember the grace of the Lord while living their lives. It is when we can be united to one another and have joy and peace.

Secondly, let us also pray this prayer at the place we are sent. It is important for ourselves to live our lives while remembering the grace of the Lord, rather, at the place we are sent, we need to pray that the people around us may know the grace of the Lord and be saved.

We rather tend to look at only the things just in front of us. As the result, we tend to utter the words of grumble or complaint, don't we? Let us look at the grace of Christ anew. And like Paul, let us live our lives while being filled with joy and share it, even in troubles!

<The Verse of the Bible>

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philippians 4:23 (NIV)