Monthly Archives: January 2021

Words; January 30, 2021


Proverbs 18:20-21 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. … Continue reading

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Attitude toward God; January 29, 2021


Proverbs 14:2 He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him. This proverb can be taken two ways, both of which are valid. The first is that a person’s lifestyle is evidence of … Continue reading

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Integrity; January 28, 2021


Proverbs 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. This verse seems singularly appropriate right now. There’s nothing wrong with the English translation, but the Japanese here gives fresh insight: “The … Continue reading

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Laziness; January 27, 2021


Proverbs 6:10-11 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. This past Sunday I preached on Exodus 34:21, that … Continue reading

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God’s Grace; January 26, 2021


Psalm 107:43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord. Without giving specifics, speaking of “some” and “others,” the Psalmist has given case after case of people who were blessed by God … Continue reading

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Righteousness; January 25, 2021


Psalm 85:13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. Yesterday in our service we sang a song by Noriko Sasaki based on Hosea 10:12 that I translated into English several years ago, and it has been … Continue reading

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Sharing God’s Blessings; January 24, 2021


Psalms 67:1-2 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. Motives can be hard to determine, especially thousands of … Continue reading

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Faith; January 23, 2021


Job 5:2 Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job’s friends’ pronouncements are largely collections of platitudes and truisms, but they do contain some nuggets worthy of meditation. Verse seven of this chapter – “Man is born to … Continue reading

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Fatherlessness; January 22, 2021


Deuteronomy 24:18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. We can be thoughtlessly cruel, and Moses didn’t want that to happen. He … Continue reading

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Offerings; January 21, 2021


Deuteronomy 16:17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. The principle of proportional offerings, established by God through Moses, has remained valid ever since. As Paul wrote to … Continue reading

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