Category Archives: Uncategorized

Accountability; February 2, 2021


Proverbs 22:2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. There are differences between the Japanese and the English in the first half of this verse, but the second half is in complete … Continue reading

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Generosity; February 1, 2021


Proverbs 11:25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. It’s interesting how many people seem quite unable to grasp this principle. It applies in so many areas that you couldn’t really list them all. … Continue reading

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Sin and Grace; January 31, 2021


Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? This is a rhetorical question, but Paul answered it clearly: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) … Continue reading

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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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