A person who is used by the LORD

Joshua 6:1-7
January 28th 2024, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Since we were saved, we have been changed, from a life walking for ourselves, to a life walking for God. There is joy when we are used by God. What kind of person is used by God?

Firstly, it is a person who trusts God. The commands given by God must have been incomprehensible to Joshua. But he trusted God and followed what God told him to do. We also need to trust God and obey Him.

Secondly, it is a person who sees and walks according to the vision given from God. Even if the situation in front of us is bad, we must see the vision and go forward. The Lord uses such believers abundantly.

Thirdly, it is a person who offers joyfully to God. It is not a person who waits until he/she is told to do something, and then does it reluctantly, but a person who gives him/her-self spontaneously and willingly. The Lord will use such a person abundantly for the glory of God.

After all, a life living for oneself leaves nothing behind. It will end in empty results. Instead, let us offer ourselves for the glory of God and let the Lord use us abundantly!

<The Verse of the Bible>

So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." And he ordered the army, "Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."

Joshua 6: 6-7 (English Standard Version)

The LORD of All Knowledge

Psalm 139:1-6
January 21st 2024, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Michio Harikae, intern

Psalm 139 is a heartfelt praise of what the LORD is like, and how great He is for the author (David) in his close relationship with Him. What is the LORD of All Knowledge like?

The first is that the omniscient LORD knows everything about me. He knows everything we do, and He already knows even before a word is on our tongue. Therefore, everything is exposed before God and cannot be hidden. We should walk, being aware that we are known by Him every day.

The second is that the knowledge of the omniscient LORD is wondrous and sublime. Human plans have limits. However, the omniscient LORD has sublime plans far beyond human knowledge. We should humble ourselves before the LORD and walk in trust.

The third is to fear the LORD of All Knowledge, and to keep His commands. Everything we do, think, even what we have in our minds is known to Him. Nevertheless before we know it, have we forgotten the omniscient LORD and become fearful and disturbed by things other than Him?

There is nothing else for us to do in our lives but to fear the omniscient LORD and keep the commands of Him!

<The Verse of the Bible>

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.

Psalm 139: 2 (English Standard Version)

Walking by living, active faith

Genesis 6:5-22
January 14th 2024, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Let us learn what kind of faith we ought to have through Noah’s living, active faith.

The first is to walk in accordance with God's will, even in the midst of an evil generation. Noah tried to walk according to God's will and walked with God. The age today is filled with evil, just as in Noah's time. That is why we should also confirm God's will through His Word and walk according to His will.

The second is to find God's grace and walk in it. Noah found grace before the eyes of the LORD. We also have received God's immeasurable grace and have been saved. It is important to remember the grace of the LORD every day and walk in gratitude.

The third is to believe and obey the Word of God as it is. Noah probably did not understand well when he was told that the flood would occur. However, he believed what was told, obeyed His commands, and built the ark. Even if we do not know what is ahead of us, we need to believe the Word of God as it is, and follow its directions.

How will we face God and walk our lives in the new year? Let us also walk by living, active faith like Noah, believe the Word of God as it is, and obey it!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.

Genesis 6: 22 (English Standard Version)

Fear the LORD!

Psalm 34:8-10
January 7th 2024, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

People are afraid of something when they walk through life. And many of them have problems. But the Bible repeatedly tells us to fear the LORD. Let us learn about the meaning and outcome of fearing the LORD.

What does it mean to fear the LORD? One of the answer is to acknowledge Him as God and to walk humbly before Him. The other is to recognize Him as the righteous Judge, and to walk in that recognition. Another is to love Him and walk according to His Word. When we taste and see God's love, we will be thankful for His grace and starting to fear Him.

And then, what follows when we fear the LORD? The one is to be able to walk in the protection from sin, whilst many blessings are given to us. The other is that the wisdom of God will be given to us, and we will be able to walk in victory over our trials. Another is that we can walk free from various fears.

Even among Christians, they can be divided into two types: those who walk without much fear of the LORD, and those who walk in fear of the LORD with all their heart. Christians who fear the LORD are blessed by Him, and as the result, their steps will be very different. We have been able to start the New Year by His grace. Let us walk this year as Christians who fear the LORD with all our hearts!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

Psalm 34: 9 (English Standard Version)