June 8, 2016


Psalm 18:3 I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

There was a very simple reason David prayed so much: he knew it worked. Probably starting when he was a young boy herding sheep and dealing with lions and bears, he learned that praying made a difference. There are lots of people who would like prayer to work, but they don’t like the corollary: we are accountable to the One to whom we pray. That has been an issue from the dawn of mankind. We want things our way, and we don’t like to submit our wills to anyone. All authority structures are to some degree reflections of the relationship between God and man. No strictly human organization reflects it perfectly, because there are no perfect human beings, or organizations, for that matter. However, employee satisfaction, and even performance, are closely related to how responsive they feel management is to their needs. The flip side of that is that management values employees who go by the rules and apply themselves fully to their jobs. It is very instructive that one of only two people Jesus praised for their faith was a Roman soldier, who understood this whole matter very well. (Matthew 8:5-13) If we want to operate in the power and authority of God, we’ve got to be submitted personally to that authority ourselves. This is where grace comes in big time, because God treats us much better than our actions deserve. We are obedient sometimes, but He is loving all the time. Sometimes His love takes the form of discipline, (Hebrews 12:7-11) but He doesn’t just throw us away in disgust, however much we might do that if we were in His place. David made some major errors, but he repented and God didn’t throw him out of the game.

I have certainly experienced the grace and mercy of God. As the world looks at it I haven’t had a “rough” life, but I definitely haven’t always lived consistently with the truth I knew. Jesus made it clear that we are responsible to the degree we have been blessed, (Luke 12:47-48) and by that standard I deserve to have the book thrown at me, since I have been familiar with the Book from childhood. To compound that, I am now a pastor/teacher, and as James pointed out, I am held to a stricter standard. (James 3:1) However, I have learned as David did that when I cry out to God in humility He is there, and I am deeply grateful. (I’ve also learned the pitfalls of pride, but that’s another, and long, story.) I know that as long as I am walking in Christ I have absolutely nothing to be anxious about, so my focus is on being as close, and as obedient, as He enables me to be.

Father, You know the level of my success better than I do, but I know that I can have no success apart from You. Help me indeed be done with both anxiety and pride, flowing with Your Spirit on Your schedule for Your glory, so that Your will may be accomplished in and through me for Your pleasure. Thank You. Praise God!

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June 7, 2016


Psalm 13:2, 5-6 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me.

Here we have clear evidence that David got depressed, but he knew what to do about it. Verse 2 is a pretty accurate description of depression, and the last two verses are an excellent prescription for overcoming it. Depression essentially looks inward and fails to find the resources it’s looking for. Singing to God in recognition of His abundant grace and blessings is the perfect antidote. The thing is, when we’re depressed we certainly don’t feel like singing praise. That’s the key: choosing to act differently from what our emotions are saying. This isn’t hypocrisy, it is recognizing that God is greater than our emotions as well as our circumstances, and acting accordingly. Being self-centered never turns out well. Not only does it fail to bring genuine happiness, it often leads to depression and even suicide. Actually, suicide is the ultimate self-centered act. We were created for relationship as social beings. That’s why the two great commandments, as designated by Jesus, deal with love. (Matthew 22:37-39) There can be no love without an object for that love, because love is outward; self-love doesn’t cut it. Our primary love, our primary relationship, is to be toward God, and secondary to that is loving people. Depression is inseparable from being self-centered. If we are focused first on God, we realize that His resources are always greater than whatever it is we are facing. If we really see and love the people around us, we will allow God’s grace and blessings to flow through us to them, and everyone is blessed.

Talk about timely! I had just said to Cathy that I felt “under-rested and overwhelmed.” That can happen only when my focus is on me and my feelings, instead of on God and what He is doing through me to bless others. The whole issue of depression and being self-centered is so easy to see when I look at others, but then I fall into it myself. This is a reminder that I have no high horse from which to look down or talk down to others. I am as much in need of the grace and mercy of God as they are, so I need to choose to focus first on God and then on those whom He wants to touch through me. If I will do that, depression will not be an issue.

Father, thank You for this experience. I have recently felt somewhat exasperated at people who couldn’t seem to grasp this truth, but You have reminded me that every blessing is Your grace. I ask for wisdom to communicate Your truth more effectively so that we may all submit to You and resist the devil effectively, (James 4:7) to walk in Your victory at all times in every area, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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June 6, 2016


Psalm 12:8 The wicked freely strut about
when what is vile is honored among men.

I would not say that this verse “blesses” me, but it is certainly both accurate as truth and descriptive of America today. Some people might try to “sanitize” this verse and say that “what is vile” is talking about idols. (Actually, the Japanese here does refer to worship.) However, the Bible also uses “vile” in talking about sexual perversion, and taken that way, this describes America today to a T. The LGBTQRST people aren’t out to be tolerated, they are out to make their way of life normative and to punish anyone who doesn’t celebrate it. And “celebrate” is often a religious term, fitting right back in with this verse. The thing is, the fact that this verse was written 3000 years ago tells us that this is descriptive of the human condition, and the situation is not unique to today. Actually, that should be comforting in a sense, because it means that we aren’t so unusually bad after all. That said, we need to consider the rest of the truth expressed here. It is saying that in conditions like today, evil people strut around freely. One look at the major US presidential candidates – not to mention a lot of other celebrities and politicians – certainly confirms that! We are in a time when a sex tape is considered essential to success as a celebrity. How sad! The devil is in a “full court press,” which certainly brings to mind what it says in Revelation. “But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” (Revelation 12:12) Whether these really are the Last Days or not, those whose eyes are open need to cling closely to God and His Word, walking in obedience to Him and not being swept away by the tsunami of filth that is upon us. We are not to deny present reality, but neither are we to lose hope. Rather, we are to remember that God is still God, and everything will be straightened out in the end.

At times I am sharply aware that I could have been swept up in all of the junk myself, and I am deeply grateful for God’s grace. I am not to despise people, but neither am I to be affirming of their rebellion against God. I am to remember that our enemy is the deceiver, and always speak the truth in love. I am to keep my eyes open so that I myself won’t be deceived. The temptation at times to just curl up in a ball and shut the world out is quite real, but as the Lord said through me in the message yesterday, we are called to be salt and light, and that doesn’t mean retreat. I interact with young adults all the time, and I am to be a pillar and a standard for them, calling and encouraging them to what their own hearts know is right, so that the schemes of the devil may be defeated. (1 John 3:8)

Father, every day is a mix of seeing Your hand at work and seeing the junk the devil is stirring up. Help me focus on You and what You are doing, not getting discouraged and certainly not having a pity party. May I walk personally in the victory of Jesus Christ (John 16:33) and lead others to do the same, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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June 5, 2016


Psalm 10:4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him;
in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

This verse points out the essential idiocy of those who exclude God from their hearts. The NIV turn of phrase is pretty good. The Japanese renders it, “The one phrase, ‘There is no God’ expresses the limit of their thoughts.” I read an article recently that put it this way: “Atheists insist there is no God, and they hate Him.” There are exceptions, I’m sure, but particularly for vocal atheists, I think that’s a pretty fair statement. It’s all a part of the self-centered trap. The devil wants us to think that we’re the be-all and end-all of everything, because when we do that, we not only have no real regard for other people, (except for how they can benefit us) we have no perception and appreciation of our Creator, who brought us into being so that we could fellowship with Him. Every human being is born with a capacity to seek, know, and appreciate God. Ecclesiastes 3:11 calls that “eternity in our heart.” However, when we focus on ourselves, we blind ourselves to God. When we do that, standards of right and wrong crumble for lack of foundation, and we destroy ourselves with sin. The very reason vocal atheists are so vocal is that their hearts convict them of sin and they don’t like that. They therefore deny the basis for all standards of right and wrong, logic be hanged. That’s when the Japanese for this verse sums things up nicely.

I have toyed with atheism as an intellectual “what if” scenario, but the Lord has protected me from staying in such idiocy. As much as I like science, to me it all points to the absolute necessity of a Creator, and once you are settled on that, the God of the Bible is the only one that makes any sense. I did have a time of descending more and more into spiritual pride, thinking I was a fine Christian when actually I was ignoring God in my daily life, but God in His mercy broke me out of that trap, and I am deeply grateful. The vast majority of the people around me are practical agnostics, cultural Buddhists who also practice some Shinto rituals but who have no personal faith at all. They see religion as largely irrelevant to life, applying it only for major life events, like marriage, the birth of a child, and death. It is interesting that such an attitude is so extremely hard to crack with the Gospel. I have demonstrated that I can’t get through effectively by logical argument alone, so I’ve got to keep praying for people that the Holy Spirit would break through the lying walls that surround them. They need to see that not admitting God into their hearts and lives puts them into the category of “wicked” that this verse talks about, and so repent and believe. I am convinced that God wants to bring many people to that point, so I’ve got to be available for however He wants to use me in the process, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, generations of Your servants in Japan have struggled with this, but You aren’t through with this nation. Thank You for the things You are doing in this church even now. May we be open and eager to participate fully in all that You will do in this city and nation, for a massive harvest in Your kingdom, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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June 4, 2016


Psalm 9:20 Let the nations know they are but men.

This brief little snippet of a prayer is actually of great importance. The thing is, mankind is all too prone to forget that they are simply human. Today we have active work on “man-machine interfaces” and “artificial intelligence,” attempting to transcend the boundaries of what it means to be human, but none of that changes the fundamental reality that we are mortal. We were created to be eternal but our physical beings are manifestly mortal, however much we try to change that or simply ignore it. We love “super heroes,” because we would like to be that way ourselves, but in the process we overlook the only true super hero who has ever lived: Jesus Christ. After His resurrection He walked through locked doors and levitated up into the sky, and even before that He walked on water and performed numerous miracles. He was fully human, but He was manifestly not just human. The thing is, we can be in Him by faith and obedience, and if we do that, we have the assurance that we will be like Him. (1 John 3:2) For that to happen, we have to first realize that apart from Him we can do nothing, (John 15:5) because in ourselves we are no more than human. Praying this prayer for the nations is actually praying God’s best for them, because He desires that everyone repent and believe for their salvation.

I have certainly had my times of superhuman fantasies, but I have come to realize that what I have in Christ is far better than anything I could imagine. There are times when I chafe at being “just human,” so I have to remember that I belong to Him who is genuinely, authentically divine. As He told Paul, His power is manifested most perfectly in our weakness, (2 Corinthians 12:9) so I need to be satisfied with that and rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, just as He has told me to. I am not to go around telling people, “You’re no more than human,” but I am to pray for God to reveal that to their spirits by His Spirit, and keep myself ready and available to share the Gospel with them when their hearts are ready.

Father, thank You for Your incredible mercy on us all. In our humanity we defy You all too often. I pray that more and more people would indeed repent and believe, receiving Your salvation and entering Your family as Your children, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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June 3, 2016


Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

Modern light pollution has robbed the average person of the sense of perspective that David expresses here. There are plenty of magnificent images available on the Internet, but nothing compares to looking directly up at more stars than you could possibly count. The more we know of the vastness of the universe, courtesy of the Hubble and other such telescopes, the more awed we should be that God really does care about individual human beings. There are those who want to deny that He does, because they want to escape accountability, but when they face the end of their lives, who will they depend on? In David’s day they knew only as much as could be seen with the naked eye, but that was enough to make him and others seek their Creator. David had the huge advantage of being a descendant of Abraham, whom God had chosen as a contact person through whom to give knowledge of Himself to mankind. As a result, David knew that his Creator was holy and just and did not ask for such things as infant sacrifice. Many of the nations around him did not have that awareness, just as the devil is working to remove that awareness from modern society. America has sacrificed far more infants to Molech than the Philistines ever did! We lose a great deal when we lose the sense of wonder that the Creator of the universe would care about us. That’s why Jesus’ message, in the simplest terms, was, “Repent and believe.” (Mark 1:15) We need to repent of our self-centeredness, our ignoring God and doing our own thing, before we can believe that He does care intimately about us, despite having created the vastness of the universe. Only then can we receive the incredible gift of eternal life through His Son, and rejoice to be His children. (John 3:16, 1:12-13)

I grew up in a family that was more academic/scientific than most, since all four of my grandparents were college graduates and both my grandfathers and my father earned doctorates. National Geographic Magazine was a major part of my education, since we had back issues going back to the 1930s, and I loved to sit and read them. By the 4th grade I was reading our Encyclopedia Britannica for fun, and I entered college as a Chemistry major. The bigger blessing was that it was also a family of faith. One of my grandfathers was a pastor and the other a seminary professor, and my father was a missionary and university chancellor. I was encouraged to learn as much as I could about this magnificent universe our heavenly Father had created. I can’t think of a better intellectual and spiritual foundation for life! I am at times overwhelmed by the magnificence of God’s grace toward me. This passage really resonates for me. I can’t begin to explain why God would love us so much, but I am totally convinced that He does, and I am eternally grateful.

Father, there really are no words to express my gratitude. Thank You that when I am before Your throne, words will no longer be an issue. Help me live out my gratitude in full obedience right here and right now, so that all that You desire in, for, and of me will be fulfilled, on Your schedule and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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June 2, 2016


Psalm 7:9 O righteous God,
who searches minds and hearts,
bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure.

For once I prefer the turn of phrase in the NIV to that in the Japanese. The Japanese puts the statement that God searches minds and hearts after the request, but I personally think it’s much more appropriate to make requests on the basis of what we know to be God’s character. This particular request is one that has been made from the earliest days, obviously enough. The thing is, until the Judgment, we are in the period of the free exercise of human will, and that means evil people work evil. There are obviously limits, but they are mostly in the natural consequences of evil itself. As long as evil people don’t fear those consequences, they will keep doing evil. It doesn’t take too much depth of perception to see that everywhere in the world today. The thing is, even with that going on, God enables people whose hearts are right before Him to stand firm. It’s all a matter of what we’re standing on, as Jesus pointed out so memorably in His parable of the people who built houses on rock and on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) We aren’t going to get away from the presence of evil in this life, but if we are standing on Christ and His Word, in full submission and obedience, then evil has no control over us. (James 4:7) However, we must do so in full sincerity, because God indeed searches minds and hearts, and He knows our motives better than we do. It is certainly not wrong to take action against evil, as Jesus showed when He cleansed the temple, but trying to do so in our own strength simply sets us up for total failure. When we are submitted and available to God, then He will use us to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

I have never been more aware of the evil in the world than I am right now, and sometimes I get pretty stirred up about it. I need to remember that my anger will not bring about God’s righteousness. (James 1:20) I am to speak the truth in love and walk in it myself, never fearing what could be done to me (Luke 12:4) but allowing God to work His will through me, for the blessing of others and for His glory.

Father, it gets to the point that I don’t want to know the news sometimes. Help me always focus more on You than on whatever the devil is doing at the moment. It is sad indeed to see how many people are so severely deceived, but I can’t grab them and shake them to their senses, however much I might want to do so. Help me be faithful in prayer, remembering Your grace toward me and allowing that grace to flow through me to them, so that they may perhaps turn and repent, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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June 1, 2016


Psalm 3:5 I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

Sleep is something we tend to take completely for granted, until we can’t sleep. When we can’t sleep, that’s all we can think about! Sleep is actually a basic need, and enforced sleeplessness causes permanent damage. That was documented over 50 years ago when a radio announcer, as a publicity stunt, decided to go a matter of weeks without sleep and asked people to help him do so, with no idea at all of the dangers. He ended up completely psychotic, and actually died not long after, if I recall correctly. Sleep deprivation has been used as a torture technique in trying to gain information or compliance from prisoners, and it can be quite devastating. David had no idea of any of that, but he knew the blessing of sleep, and that it was a gift from God. Anxiety is the biggest cause of insomnia, and at the point David wrote this he had plenty of reason for it, with his own son after him, seeking to depose him as king. Under such circumstances he might reasonably fear being killed as he slept, which is why this verse is so meaningful. He made the choice to trust God, and was rewarded with restful sleep. We might not have reason to fear being killed in our sleep, but we certainly can learn from David’s example, and receive the restful sleep God has for us.

I’ve had times of insomnia, and I’ve found that far and away the best way to overcome it is choosing to focus on gratitude. If I lie in bed thanking God in my mind for all that He has done for me, before long I am asleep. The song, O Lord, You Have Been Good, is a particular favorite, and since I translated it into Japanese, I let it play in my mind in both languages, to very good effect. (Actually, I do that often when I am out walking also, and I don’t go to sleep then!) I give that advice to various people who are struggling with insomnia, and when they take it, I get reports of real relief. However, some people can’t seem to get the idea into their hearts, and they depend on sleeping pills, with all the assorted risks. That’s sad, but all I can do is speak the truth in love and pray for them. Of course, physical factors like pain can certainly interfere with sleep, so I must not be simplistic, but for myself and others, trusting God will benefit any situation.

Father, thank You for a good night’s sleep last night. Thank You also that I was able to lie down yesterday afternoon, when I was falling asleep at the computer. I got pretty irritated with students who were falling asleep in class yesterday morning. Help me extend Your grace to them in love. May I be an open channel of Your grace to others so that I may enjoy it fully myself, not just in the area of sleep but in all areas, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

OLordYou

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May 31, 2016


Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.

It’s interesting, but this bit of wisdom would be deemed “unspiritual” in some circles. “If God said to do it, then do it, whatever anyone says,” would be the response of some. That is true enough, but unless you are close enough to the Lord to take dictation, you had better consider carefully how and when to do whatever it is you feel He is directing. This is where input from others is very helpful. I have seen people get into all sorts of trouble over personal prophecy, even when the prophetic word was perhaps right on, but they didn’t take time to consider what the Lord’s timing might be or how He wanted them to do whatever it was He had said to them. And that’s not even touching on whether or not the “Word” was genuine or not! God will indeed enable us to do whatever He tells us to do, but pride is as always a huge trap. If you think, “I’ve heard from God, so I don’t need to listen to anyone else,” you are asking for trouble. Of course, who you listen to is of great importance. Get spiritual advice from people who have demonstrated they are close to the Lord! The devil will always supply naysayers; I’m not at all saying we should listen to them. However, even Mary hurried off to talk with Elizabeth after hearing from Gabriel. I don’t think we’re closer to God than she was! In her case, when was never in question, but how had a lot of options, and I’m sure the two women prayed over both their pregnancies a great deal. In large-scale projects there are a lot of regulations that must be met, with licenses, authorizations and the like. Failing to investigate those can cause needless roadblocks. Frankly, those don’t feel very spiritual, but they are part of “rendering unto Caesar,” and they must not be overlooked. There, too, prayer is essential, because God – and sometimes only God – can cut through red tape. If God said to do something, it will happen, and we must not let go of that assurance, but we must do so with all humility and respect, so that He will receive all the glory.

This is intensely personal right now, because it looks like the Lord is giving us the land next to the church building, and we feel He is telling us to build a group home for seniors on it. All sorts of things seem to be falling into place for that, but acting in presumption will guarantee failure. In the first place the very idea seems absurd for a congregation whose average attendance for fiscal 2015 was 9.5! However, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27) We aren’t to look at our own strength and give up, but neither are we to ignore all the issues that have to be dealt with. Not only do all the permits and certifications have to be cleared, we have to have a pricing structure that will allow us to pay staff reasonably. We want Christian staff, certainly, but we aren’t to ask them to work for nothing. The community is going to be watching our every move. If we are humble and obedient to God, with the wisdom that comes from fearing Him only, then this will be a powerful magnet to draw people into His kingdom. If not, then it will be a colossal failure that will convince people that Christians are idealistic fools. He will always have the perfect answer for every issue, but we have got to be humble enough to hear Him, however and through whomever He speaks to us.

Father, it is easy to get excited and/or overwhelmed at what it looks like You are doing. Help us rejoice in You without getting so excited we overlook the steps You have for us to take. This is certainly a long-term project once it is established; keep us from rushing the preparation. However, keep us also from holding back when You open doors. May we recognize Your provision and receive it, not only financially and materially but also in wisdom. May we be effective witnesses for our Lord, on all levels, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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May 30, 2016


Proverbs 15:8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

Right here we have a clear put-down of the practice of “indulgences” that triggered the Protestant Reformation. If a person’s heart is not right before God, then no motions they might go through would be pleasing to Him. How much more absurd is it to think He could be bribed! We forget that God is never at a loss about anything. Materially, He created everything, so there is literally nothing we could offer to Him that He didn’t create in the first place. In terms of acts of service, we owe it all to Him anyway, so what’s the big deal? Even Jesus dismissed that idea. “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:10) That seems harsh to us only because we are all too comfortable with various forms of bribery, and we don’t like it when bribery doesn’t work. God sees through to our motives, and He delights in those whose hearts are committed to Him. The weakest, most un-influential person actually has as much to offer God as the most wealthy ruler: their heart, their devotion. I will never forget something that happened when I was 10 years old. We were in the US that year, and attended a pretty large church. One of the influential board members dropped dead of a heart attack. There was a man with cerebral palsy who volunteered as a greeter every Sunday, whose name was John (I never knew his family name). He went to the pastor (whose name was also John) crying, saying “Why couldn’t I have been the one taken? I can’t do anything for the Lord, and he could do so much.” The next Sunday the pastor reported that to the congregation, and said, very rightly, I feel, that John the greeter did far more in God’s eyes than most of the people in the church, because his heart was totally given to God, and he did all he could. I still can’t remember that without tearing up.

I thank God for that experience and memory, because it burned into my heart the truth of this verse. My life hasn’t been so accomplishful that the world would take notice, but I do seek to love and serve my Lord, and He is the judge of how well I do that. To go back to what Jesus said, I don’t know how well I have even done my duty. However, I know that my Lord is incredibly merciful and gracious, and I cast myself on Him. Right now it looks like the Lord is opening up some real possibilities for this church. I must not let myself be consumed by all the activities to the point that I lose my simple devotion to my Lord. No activity, no achievement, is as pleasing to God as childlike faith and obedience. I am not to draw back from anything the Lord leads me into, but loving Him must come ahead of doing things for Him.

Father, thank You for this very timely Word. Some people’s minds were blown yesterday when they learned what You might be opening up to us. Help us all look to You in faith and trust, not depending on any human instrument but knowing that nothing is impossible for You. May we flow perfectly with Your Spirit to do Your will, so that Your Name may be hallowed and Your kingdom come to this city, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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