About 2 years ago I had learned a lesson about victory through Jesus Christ. That we as children of God are to be victors. I came to the conclusion that living a life of defeat was the result of my attitude and thinking and it had to be changed.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
When I was facing trials, I saw the circumstances as hopeless, no way out, and too much to bear. My attitude was negative when things came up. The way I was acting and thinking was that of disobedience and distrust.
In Electronic Technician A school I was testing out of one of my final lessons for communications, I decided that day I would finally go to open study (class time outside of class hours) and test out of the lesson. Up to that point I had been pretty much going through A school not relying on God. I was passing my tests, but I was not acknowledging God as the source of the aptitude and ability to learn. So I went to take my test and through a miss press of the backspace button on the keyboard it scored my test before I had completed it. I was halfway through and it failed me. I was heated, really really angry. I stormed out of the building and while walking I slammed my bag on the ground and cried out, “Why God?! Why?!” Out of anger I blamed my failure on Him.
I called my mother and spoke with her, I was angry and after talking with her I was convicted by the Holy Spirit. Through this experience, God was showing me that despite what happens, He is still God and is in control. The failures and successes of this world are only temporal. If I had failed out, He still had His plan for me, if I passed, He still had His plan for me. The next day I went and spoke with my instructor I found out they weren't going to count it as a failure and we're going to let me take it again. After further discussion, the track that I was on for that test I probably would have failed even if I did finish it completely. I had answered questions too quickly and was rushing through it. By God's grace I was able to take it again and pass it taking my time, trusting in Him.
That's the important lesson people, we need to put our trust in God that whatever happens, He is in control and will do in us what it takes to refine us and remove impurities. What God wanted to free me from was the ties I still had to anger in circumstances that looked hopeless.
Our Abba father is a goldsmith who takes us, His creation and refines us to remove the impurities and make us into the perfect being He desires us to be. An interesting thing about God's character as a goldsmith is that one who refines gold in fire must keep one's eyes on the gold at all times otherwise it will be ruined by the fire.
If you think about fire, it is a destructive force, yet it can create something beautiful. Through these trials that could destroy us, God uses to refine us. He keeps continual watch over us so that we will not be destroyed by the world and through Him we have victory.
1 Corinthians 10:12-14 (New International Version)
12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 John 5:3-5 (New International Version)
3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
These truths contained in these two passages gives us hope in the Lord. That in any circumstance we can overcome the world. Does this mean success by worldly standards? I personally believe these scriptures mean, in accordance with Jesus Christ being the way to the Father, that overcoming the world is trusting and obeying the Lord in all circumstances. Through failures and successes of this world, we are still heirs alongside Jesus Christ.
Galatians 4
1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,[a] Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
As Solomon found everything to be meaningless if apart from God we know that everything includes failures and successes. What is the point, if Jesus Christ is not the center? What can we possibly do apart from the Lord? I think Big Daddy Weave explains it best in their song Audience of One:
“So what could I bring
To honor your majesty
What song could I sing
That would move the heart of royalty”
“And all that I have
Is the life that you've given me
So Lord let me live for you
My song with humility”
"And Lord as the love song
Of my life is played
I have one desire
To bring glory to your name"
"To my audience of one
You are Father, and you are Son
As your spirit flows free,
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise you.
And now just to know you more
Has become my great reward
To see your kingdom come
And your will be done
I only desire to be yours,
Lord”
We are the Lord's and he has called us heirs, we are children of God. My brothers and sisters, I hope you will come to know the Lord as Abba father. What a honor! That by His grace, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross gives us the opportunity to become heirs. To live life as God has purposed. He's ordained our steps, we can choose to follow after Him or follow after the world. I tell you, a life lived for Christ Jesus will bring you joy, hope, peace and purpose in Him. In Him I have found all of these gifts and I thank Him with my whole heart. For he is making me into a man after His own heart.
Trust in Him with all your heart and He will NOT fail you. In Him put your trust and you can live the victorious life as an heir. My prayer is that the Lord will scoop you into his arms and you may call him Abba Father.
God Bless
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Act
To act is to do.
I just finished the book of Acts and this time around I have learned a great deal more than any other time I've studied the ministry and life of Paul. From worship, to fellowship to trust and obedience the Lord has surely shown me a life lived for Christ in the life of Paul.
Paul was fervent for the Gospel of Jesus Christ our savior. He preached in chains, during storms, and while facing persecution. He really believed what he believed was really real and that was "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Cor 2:2" Upon this Rock Paul stood firm in his belief that Jesus Christ died for us.
"28"Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 28:28-31"
The final verses of Acts we see Paul in action. He boldly and without hindrance preached to all who came to see him. The Lord worked mightily through Paul. Paul entrusted himself to the Lord and walked by faith.
Another form of the word Act refers to plays. Such as Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet. I believe the Lord has ordained acts in each of our lives such as the acts of Paul's life. Once called Saul, a persecutor of the Gospel of Jesus Christ now called Paul a man in chains for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This brings me to tears. How amazing that the Lord can take anyone, and I mean anyone and refine them in His holy fire removing impurities and working out their salvation reconciling them back to himself.
The Acts of Paul glorified the Lord. I pray the Acts in my life will glorify the Lord as well. As I walk by faith in Jesus Christ I want to serve him with the life he has given to me. I am so thankful for all that he has done and I pray that my fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ will see just how much God loves them and let that reality move them into action, a life lived to the fullest in Jesus. And that their life will shine light into the darkness and give hope to the hopeless.
I just finished the book of Acts and this time around I have learned a great deal more than any other time I've studied the ministry and life of Paul. From worship, to fellowship to trust and obedience the Lord has surely shown me a life lived for Christ in the life of Paul.
Paul was fervent for the Gospel of Jesus Christ our savior. He preached in chains, during storms, and while facing persecution. He really believed what he believed was really real and that was "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Cor 2:2" Upon this Rock Paul stood firm in his belief that Jesus Christ died for us.
"28"Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 28:28-31"
The final verses of Acts we see Paul in action. He boldly and without hindrance preached to all who came to see him. The Lord worked mightily through Paul. Paul entrusted himself to the Lord and walked by faith.
Another form of the word Act refers to plays. Such as Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet. I believe the Lord has ordained acts in each of our lives such as the acts of Paul's life. Once called Saul, a persecutor of the Gospel of Jesus Christ now called Paul a man in chains for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This brings me to tears. How amazing that the Lord can take anyone, and I mean anyone and refine them in His holy fire removing impurities and working out their salvation reconciling them back to himself.
The Acts of Paul glorified the Lord. I pray the Acts in my life will glorify the Lord as well. As I walk by faith in Jesus Christ I want to serve him with the life he has given to me. I am so thankful for all that he has done and I pray that my fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ will see just how much God loves them and let that reality move them into action, a life lived to the fullest in Jesus. And that their life will shine light into the darkness and give hope to the hopeless.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Studying
I am so thankful to the Lord that He is fanning the flame in my heart to do His will. Through friends, family and fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus has he graciously done so much; much more than I could have asked for. I've found myself in the Word more often, studying the Truth claims of God and listening for the whisper of God. The people, by God's divine providence that are in my life who I now call my family have encouraged and strengthened me in Him. I have prayed that I would hunger for His truths and once again prayer has been answered.
I'm currently in the book of Acts, in chapter 17 and there was something I never really thought much of before.
Athens had tons of idols and gods they worshiped. When Paul got to Athens he walked around and examined his surroundings, "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an alter with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Acts 17:23"
What I didn't see before was that Paul had gone out to learn about Athens. "looked carefully" hold's the connotation that he studied them. To look carefully is to examine in depth.
What I now see is that Paul knowing God's will, he took steps in the direction he was being led and along with that it meant being prepared for what God had planned. In order to speak to the people in Athens, God had ordered His steps to that alter of the unknown god. God was preparing Paul to speak and from this Paul was able to preach this at a meeting of the Areopagus;
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Because Paul was walking by faith, we too get to hear this message about God too. What a great testimony and encouragement to us as believers this is. To know who God is, and that "...He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." The Lord has ordered our steps, as he is leading and guiding us he is preparing us and working out His will through us.
May we walk by faith in Him and learn all that He has to teach us. I pray that the passion we see in Paul would rise up within us and we would burn with passion for Jesus to walk by faith.
Our God is an Awesome God. Glory to Him forever more. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
I'm currently in the book of Acts, in chapter 17 and there was something I never really thought much of before.
Athens had tons of idols and gods they worshiped. When Paul got to Athens he walked around and examined his surroundings, "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an alter with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Acts 17:23"
What I didn't see before was that Paul had gone out to learn about Athens. "looked carefully" hold's the connotation that he studied them. To look carefully is to examine in depth.
What I now see is that Paul knowing God's will, he took steps in the direction he was being led and along with that it meant being prepared for what God had planned. In order to speak to the people in Athens, God had ordered His steps to that alter of the unknown god. God was preparing Paul to speak and from this Paul was able to preach this at a meeting of the Areopagus;
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Because Paul was walking by faith, we too get to hear this message about God too. What a great testimony and encouragement to us as believers this is. To know who God is, and that "...He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." The Lord has ordered our steps, as he is leading and guiding us he is preparing us and working out His will through us.
May we walk by faith in Him and learn all that He has to teach us. I pray that the passion we see in Paul would rise up within us and we would burn with passion for Jesus to walk by faith.
Our God is an Awesome God. Glory to Him forever more. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Fellowship
God has placed on my heart the importance of fellowship. As I dive into the Word he has been revealing to me His heart. When I think about the heart of God I come to desire it. The peace that surpasses all understanding, hope and joy flows from Him. And as the Lord sits on the throne of my heart he is refining me into a man after His own heart.
I want to be a man of God that the Lord uses to shine brightly through me to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and to the lost and hopeless.
In the Bible we see examples of people staying at one another homes learning and teaching about Jesus.
In Acts 10 Cornelius was directed to send for Simon called Peter.
Acts 10:30-33 "30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
How amazing how the Lord works in each of us. The Lord works through us to teach one another more about Him. When we come together in His name we learn so much about God's love.
Acts 10:34-35 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
God used Cornelius to teach Peter this important Truth that God wants to reconcile all men from every nation to Himself, and that this is possible through the gift and sacrifice of Jesus Christ our savior. And in turn God used Peter to teach Cornelius about this gift.
David, a man after God's own heart, fellowshipped with Jonathan in God's name. God used each man to uplift and strengthen one another. May God use each one us to uplift and strengthen each other.
Fellowshipping; I wholeheartedly believe that when we come together in Jesus' name He will move in ways unimaginable. I pray that we as children of God will open our hearts to Him and let His will become our own. And that if he brings us together, we would do so in His name and glorify Him. Be it to the glory of God that we shall lift praises to Him forever and ever together in the Lord God Almighty the lover of our souls.
May the God of peace be with you as you fellowship this day with your brothers and sisters.
By His Amazing Grace, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
I want to be a man of God that the Lord uses to shine brightly through me to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and to the lost and hopeless.
In the Bible we see examples of people staying at one another homes learning and teaching about Jesus.
In Acts 10 Cornelius was directed to send for Simon called Peter.
Acts 10:30-33 "30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
How amazing how the Lord works in each of us. The Lord works through us to teach one another more about Him. When we come together in His name we learn so much about God's love.
Acts 10:34-35 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."
God used Cornelius to teach Peter this important Truth that God wants to reconcile all men from every nation to Himself, and that this is possible through the gift and sacrifice of Jesus Christ our savior. And in turn God used Peter to teach Cornelius about this gift.
David, a man after God's own heart, fellowshipped with Jonathan in God's name. God used each man to uplift and strengthen one another. May God use each one us to uplift and strengthen each other.
Fellowshipping; I wholeheartedly believe that when we come together in Jesus' name He will move in ways unimaginable. I pray that we as children of God will open our hearts to Him and let His will become our own. And that if he brings us together, we would do so in His name and glorify Him. Be it to the glory of God that we shall lift praises to Him forever and ever together in the Lord God Almighty the lover of our souls.
May the God of peace be with you as you fellowship this day with your brothers and sisters.
By His Amazing Grace, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Body of Christ
I've been recently thinking about church. And today the Lord has revealed things to me once again.
Going to church vs being part of the body of Christ. Where have I gone to church and where have I been part of the body of Christ? God is showing me that we don't just go to church, but we the body of Christ are the church. Without people it would just be a building.
For the next couple of weeks I will not be able to be in person fellowshipping with my new family at San Diego Japanese Christian Church. But as I'm away God is showing me that I, now being part of this body of Christ can still be with them in spirit. I am praying for their well being and as God has me away I can return and tell what he has been doing in my life and how much he loves. I don't just want to go to their church, but I want to be a part of it. I am grateful that the Lord has given me insight into what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.
I remember growing up and my mother taking my sisters and I to church. I wasn't always a fan of going to church. There were low and high points of church.
There were times that I became involved and times where I simply attended. Whenever I was involved things seemed to be better than just being there. Later in my teens it became more and more of a thing I had to do because I felt my mom wanted me too. I soon began to simply attend and slowly it became drudgery. I was no longer involved. It became a religious practice.
As the Lord is refining me, he is removing the impurities that make me like the pharisees in Jesus' day. To get away from religious practice and actually love the Lord and know that He loves me and that because He Reigns all things in His will come after. Seeking first the kingdom of God.
Don't just go to church, be part of the church. Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. "I thank the Lord for creating such a beautiful part of worship known as fellowship. Even though I may not physically come together with my family in His name I come together nonetheless in spirit. I am continually praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
How awesome it is that the Lord has gifted us with brothers and sisters that we might seek His kingdom together.
So I pray for my brothers and sisters. May they walk with Jesus and rest in the peace that He loves them.
Going to church vs being part of the body of Christ. Where have I gone to church and where have I been part of the body of Christ? God is showing me that we don't just go to church, but we the body of Christ are the church. Without people it would just be a building.
For the next couple of weeks I will not be able to be in person fellowshipping with my new family at San Diego Japanese Christian Church. But as I'm away God is showing me that I, now being part of this body of Christ can still be with them in spirit. I am praying for their well being and as God has me away I can return and tell what he has been doing in my life and how much he loves. I don't just want to go to their church, but I want to be a part of it. I am grateful that the Lord has given me insight into what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.
I remember growing up and my mother taking my sisters and I to church. I wasn't always a fan of going to church. There were low and high points of church.
There were times that I became involved and times where I simply attended. Whenever I was involved things seemed to be better than just being there. Later in my teens it became more and more of a thing I had to do because I felt my mom wanted me too. I soon began to simply attend and slowly it became drudgery. I was no longer involved. It became a religious practice.
As the Lord is refining me, he is removing the impurities that make me like the pharisees in Jesus' day. To get away from religious practice and actually love the Lord and know that He loves me and that because He Reigns all things in His will come after. Seeking first the kingdom of God.
Don't just go to church, be part of the church. Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. "I thank the Lord for creating such a beautiful part of worship known as fellowship. Even though I may not physically come together with my family in His name I come together nonetheless in spirit. I am continually praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
How awesome it is that the Lord has gifted us with brothers and sisters that we might seek His kingdom together.
So I pray for my brothers and sisters. May they walk with Jesus and rest in the peace that He loves them.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Give thanks to the Lord for his love endures forever
Lord, you have been so good to me. You graciously have given me a new church family. I thank you so much Lord for my new home, San Diego Japanese Christian Church. Please be with the families there, open the floodgates of heaven and pour out your grace upon them all. Let them fix their eyes on Jesus and trust in you.
ありがとう ございます！ まいにち、 イエス は とても いい です！
Your love endures forever Lord, please pour out your love on each one of them. Words cannot express how grateful I am Lord. I thank you for answering my prayers Lord. You've gifted me with these amazing brothers and sisters in Jesus. I cannot wait Lord, to get back and tell them how faithful you have been to me. I pray Lord that you give me the means to give back what you have given me. I pray that you make me into the man you want me to be so through me you can use me to help anyone of them. I am excited Lord, I hang upon "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future." I wholeheartedly believe you have led me to this place. I shall trust in you Father, I will fix my eyes on Jesus.
Thank you Jesus. Thank you so much. Please be with each one of them through these days. Let me return and declare how awesome you are.
ありがとう ございます！ まいにち、 イエス は とても いい です！
Your love endures forever Lord, please pour out your love on each one of them. Words cannot express how grateful I am Lord. I thank you for answering my prayers Lord. You've gifted me with these amazing brothers and sisters in Jesus. I cannot wait Lord, to get back and tell them how faithful you have been to me. I pray Lord that you give me the means to give back what you have given me. I pray that you make me into the man you want me to be so through me you can use me to help anyone of them. I am excited Lord, I hang upon "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future." I wholeheartedly believe you have led me to this place. I shall trust in you Father, I will fix my eyes on Jesus.
Thank you Jesus. Thank you so much. Please be with each one of them through these days. Let me return and declare how awesome you are.
In Him
Show me the way Lord. Renew my mind so that I have a mind of Christ. Continue to teach me how to walk by faith. Forgive me where I have been unthankful and for sinning against you. I have been given graciously so much from you, today let me give back to you what I've been given.
I now want to lift Japan up. Let the brokenhearted, the lost and hopeless be drawn to you Father by my fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus. I may not know all of them Lord, but I pray that you would shine brightly through them to reconcile the lost to you. Let them see just how much you, the infinite God the Father loves them. Make yourself known to the lost. I pray for your servants that they would seek you day by day in your strength to walk by faith.
In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
I now want to lift Japan up. Let the brokenhearted, the lost and hopeless be drawn to you Father by my fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus. I may not know all of them Lord, but I pray that you would shine brightly through them to reconcile the lost to you. Let them see just how much you, the infinite God the Father loves them. Make yourself known to the lost. I pray for your servants that they would seek you day by day in your strength to walk by faith.
In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
Praising Jesus in the storm
As we walk by faith we face opposition each day. We can hate our circumstances and lash out or look to Jesus and cry out "for your Glory".
Today has been a day of opposition. Things that could go wrong, went wrong. As the unknown came to strike, my loving God struck back whilst showing me how to trust in Him.
As I awoke I started my day by going into the Word to spend time listening to Him. I prayed then got ready to go to school.
The night before I had finally gotten to my hotel room at 11pm. The day had been hectic. And the rental car deal didn't work out at all. Had to take a cab to the hotel. The wireless internet didn't work either, I was disappointed because I wanted to be able to write in this blog. (How am I now?)
The previous day had a lot of issues but I knew the Lord was teaching me how to be content.
As I left the hotel today it was raining and freezing. Since we didn't have a car, we were going to take the shuttle to our school here in Oklahoma City. Supposed to show up at 6:20am. Didn't show up at all. Found out we were given the wrong waiting location and it we were going to be late to class, which was supposed to start at 7am ad it was already 6:40am. I pulled some cash out and we called a cab. We arrived at the Federal Aviation Academy at about 7:05am. Couldn't get in because we needed IDs (this should have made us even later) but we got sent to a room to wait with the other Navy personnel who were in the same course.
By God's grace, because they made us wait we were perfectly fine. The instructors were understanding and even apologized for not having everything taken care of sooner.
Amen
The instructors started asking us about rental cars, how we got there, where we were staying. 1 out of the 5 who got sent to the school (including me) had a rental car, two people from the USS Ronald Regan were a 36 dollar cab ride from their hotel. The instructors were appalled at how things went. They took us over to student services and got us into this apartment complex that has mini apartments for cheap plus free car rental that is close to the academy. We left the school a about 10 to check out of our hotels.
By God's grace things worked out and all of us got a place at the apartment complex right next to one another. And by His grace this place has free internet.
They then put us on lunch until 1. At about 12pm I got a phone call from my bank. They were concerned about transactions from yesterday and today. I soon found out my card had been compromised. Now, I'm stationed out of San Diego, California and I'm now in Oklahoma City. My bank is a bank from Washington state and I now have to cancel my debit card. I've no means of paying for things now.
Once again by God's grace, the employee from my bank gave me a list of banks in the immediate area in which I could get money from.
Amen.
Now, if this had happened to me a few months back, I would probably be freaking out right now and be in a big mess. I'd be in tears. But over these past few months the Lord has been teaching me to keep my eyes on Jesus instead of trying to do it all on my own strength. As the time went by I kept my eyes on Jesus and I had peace that surpassed all understanding. In these trials I have been learning the things God wants to teach me. I am grateful to Him for all that he has done for me. In the midst of the storm there Jesus was helping me through it all.
Praise be to the God Most High who loves us so much. I pray that in His time He teaches you total reliance on Him. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Today has been a day of opposition. Things that could go wrong, went wrong. As the unknown came to strike, my loving God struck back whilst showing me how to trust in Him.
As I awoke I started my day by going into the Word to spend time listening to Him. I prayed then got ready to go to school.
The night before I had finally gotten to my hotel room at 11pm. The day had been hectic. And the rental car deal didn't work out at all. Had to take a cab to the hotel. The wireless internet didn't work either, I was disappointed because I wanted to be able to write in this blog. (How am I now?)
The previous day had a lot of issues but I knew the Lord was teaching me how to be content.
As I left the hotel today it was raining and freezing. Since we didn't have a car, we were going to take the shuttle to our school here in Oklahoma City. Supposed to show up at 6:20am. Didn't show up at all. Found out we were given the wrong waiting location and it we were going to be late to class, which was supposed to start at 7am ad it was already 6:40am. I pulled some cash out and we called a cab. We arrived at the Federal Aviation Academy at about 7:05am. Couldn't get in because we needed IDs (this should have made us even later) but we got sent to a room to wait with the other Navy personnel who were in the same course.
By God's grace, because they made us wait we were perfectly fine. The instructors were understanding and even apologized for not having everything taken care of sooner.
Amen
The instructors started asking us about rental cars, how we got there, where we were staying. 1 out of the 5 who got sent to the school (including me) had a rental car, two people from the USS Ronald Regan were a 36 dollar cab ride from their hotel. The instructors were appalled at how things went. They took us over to student services and got us into this apartment complex that has mini apartments for cheap plus free car rental that is close to the academy. We left the school a about 10 to check out of our hotels.
By God's grace things worked out and all of us got a place at the apartment complex right next to one another. And by His grace this place has free internet.
They then put us on lunch until 1. At about 12pm I got a phone call from my bank. They were concerned about transactions from yesterday and today. I soon found out my card had been compromised. Now, I'm stationed out of San Diego, California and I'm now in Oklahoma City. My bank is a bank from Washington state and I now have to cancel my debit card. I've no means of paying for things now.
Once again by God's grace, the employee from my bank gave me a list of banks in the immediate area in which I could get money from.
Amen.
Now, if this had happened to me a few months back, I would probably be freaking out right now and be in a big mess. I'd be in tears. But over these past few months the Lord has been teaching me to keep my eyes on Jesus instead of trying to do it all on my own strength. As the time went by I kept my eyes on Jesus and I had peace that surpassed all understanding. In these trials I have been learning the things God wants to teach me. I am grateful to Him for all that he has done for me. In the midst of the storm there Jesus was helping me through it all.
Praise be to the God Most High who loves us so much. I pray that in His time He teaches you total reliance on Him. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Content in El Shaddai
How much do you know about this specific name of God? It is a wonderful thing to know the Lord by his name. The Lord has many names and each one describes His nature. Let me give you a little bit of insight into this specific name.
El Shaddai is translated God Almighty or God All Sufficient.
Only a powerful God could give us what we need. We try and we try to do things on our own but we always come up short of what we seek. How glorious is it that we can look unto God to provide the love we so desire.
As the Psalmist so beautifully put it;
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10" (NIV)
When we seek God we come to know His name, in in a name is a characteristic. We find that God is sufficient for us. We do not have to go day by day worrying about what is going to happen to us, for the Lord will sustain us and be enough for us.
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1" (NIV)
Despite our circumstances we can always look to God and praise Him for loving us. Being content in El Shaddai. Now I'm not saying that God will pull you from the valley, but that he will walk with you and carry you through it all. In Him will He bring you through the trials.
Jesus did not promise us no hardships, but that we daily pick up our cross and follow after Him. How wonderful then, that we can call upon El Shaddai to be enough for us. To be content in the Lord for we know His way is better than our way.
I recently read, "Don't let your circumstances influence your contentment, but let your contentment influence your circumstances" from The Daily Verse. As the Lord refines us in His fire we come to know that His love for us is the greatest thing. For in love he gave us His one and only Son Jesus to die in our place to reconcile us back to the father.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I'm learning a lot about not letting my circumstances affect my content in the Lord. As of right now, I'm sitting in the Dallas airport waiting on my flight to Oklahoma City. I'm supposed to be going to a school for piece of gear that is to be installed on my ship later this year. The problem is, the ship has not paid for the school yet and it starts tomorrow and my ship is currently underway.
What I do know is that I need to put my trust in God and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. A few years back if this were to happen I would probably be freaking out right now. But the Lord has brought me a long way and through Him I have strength in these difficult times.
I wholeheartedly believe when the Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you." Declares the Lord. "Plans not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future."
I've been going through a difficult period in my time in the Navy but I need to trust in Him to carry me through it because I cannot do it on my own.
I hope that as the Lord walks with me, through me will He shine forth light to glorify Himself.
El Shaddai is translated God Almighty or God All Sufficient.
Only a powerful God could give us what we need. We try and we try to do things on our own but we always come up short of what we seek. How glorious is it that we can look unto God to provide the love we so desire.
As the Psalmist so beautifully put it;
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10" (NIV)
When we seek God we come to know His name, in in a name is a characteristic. We find that God is sufficient for us. We do not have to go day by day worrying about what is going to happen to us, for the Lord will sustain us and be enough for us.
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Psalm 105:1" (NIV)
Despite our circumstances we can always look to God and praise Him for loving us. Being content in El Shaddai. Now I'm not saying that God will pull you from the valley, but that he will walk with you and carry you through it all. In Him will He bring you through the trials.
Jesus did not promise us no hardships, but that we daily pick up our cross and follow after Him. How wonderful then, that we can call upon El Shaddai to be enough for us. To be content in the Lord for we know His way is better than our way.
I recently read, "Don't let your circumstances influence your contentment, but let your contentment influence your circumstances" from The Daily Verse. As the Lord refines us in His fire we come to know that His love for us is the greatest thing. For in love he gave us His one and only Son Jesus to die in our place to reconcile us back to the father.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I'm learning a lot about not letting my circumstances affect my content in the Lord. As of right now, I'm sitting in the Dallas airport waiting on my flight to Oklahoma City. I'm supposed to be going to a school for piece of gear that is to be installed on my ship later this year. The problem is, the ship has not paid for the school yet and it starts tomorrow and my ship is currently underway.
What I do know is that I need to put my trust in God and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. A few years back if this were to happen I would probably be freaking out right now. But the Lord has brought me a long way and through Him I have strength in these difficult times.
I wholeheartedly believe when the Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you." Declares the Lord. "Plans not to harm you but to give you a hope and a future."
I've been going through a difficult period in my time in the Navy but I need to trust in Him to carry me through it because I cannot do it on my own.
I hope that as the Lord walks with me, through me will He shine forth light to glorify Himself.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Mission Japan
My prayer for Hideyo is that the Lord will hear the cry of his heart and use him in mighty ways to reach his countrymen. I believe that Christ's love for us will shine brightly through Hideyo and Yumiko and the Holy Spirit will open the hearts of those they meet.
Isn't it amazing that a man of God who is 71 years old is strong in the Lord and by fixing his eyes on Jesus is serving to bring glory to God? This should speak volumes of truth that God has a plan for all of us and it is in His time that he will use us. Do not fret brothers and sisters, the Lord's timing is the best timing of all. Through the trials and peace God is continually refining us in His fire to make us the men and woman he desires us to be. Fix your eyes on Jesus and live in His love and all else will fall into place according to His will.
Wake each day and know that God loves you. There's nothing you can do or have done that will make Him love you less or more, for he is unchanging and has always loved you. He knew of you and had a plan for you before you were born, before the world began.
My prayer for you readers is that you too will understand just how much God loves you and that he is working things out to give you a hope and a future with Him. Trust in his unfailing love. As the Psalmist sang, "His love endures forever", may it resound in your heart, mind, and soul and be the praise on your lips.
Avoid surpressing the Spirit
Since I arrived in San Diego I started going to Shadow Mountain Community Church with a friend of my family. The senior pastor is none other than Dr. David Jeremiah. His preaching is gifted from God and he preaches from the Bible.
It's a pretty big church, coming from a small church background where I feel it's important for everyone to know everyone it made it a bit difficult to get really involved in the church. It was my heart's desire to get more involved.
God saw, heard and answered my prayer. All I had to do was take a step out of the boat and fix my eyes on Jesus. And here is how it happened.
As you've read before, God has put a passion for Japan on my heart. After talking with Rocky and Steven the flame was fanned even more. I decided to see if google could bring up any results for a Japanese church. Lo behold, I found one in San Diego; San Diego Japanese Christian church. It was awesome, the Lord showed me a church. And then that's when fear set in, "I'm not Japanese, so will I be accepted?" Satan attacked me where I was weak. My identity is not in people, it is in the Lord, and if these people were in Christ then I would be a fellow brother in Christ to them. I told my mother about it and she told me to check it out and said the Spirit would open and close the doors for me to walk through.
I was looking on their website and found the Church's newsletter. In it I read they were going through the Truth Project (an amazing study program by Dr. Del Tackett). Back at Harbor Light Open Bible Church (my home church in Everett, WA) we were going through it also. I saw it was being done on Saturdays, I figured I'd check it out because I really enjoyed the Truth project and like my mother said, "if this is where God was leading me, it would all work out and He would be Glorified through it."
Saturday rolls around and as the hours pass by until the start of it that same fear sank in again. I prayed and it left. (praise God) At about 5:15 I left to get on the trolley. At 5:45 I arrive at City College, it's raining and dark and I got a .6 mile walk to get to the church. I arrive at 6:00 and the only people that are there were homeless people who were camping out to be out of the rain. The newsletter said it started at 6:30, so I started waiting. 15 mins pass by, still no one shows up. I say to myself, "I guess this wasn't your will Lord". But I wanted to wait until 6:30 just in case someone did show up. Another 15 mins pass by and still no one showed up. I was now under the impression that it wasn't God's will. I started heading on back to the station to go back home. As I was walking back I was convicted to buy the homeless people food. I tried to avoid it, I wasn't too happy at that time. As I was waiting for the trolley, I looked over and saw subway and again I was convicted, but this time with a verse.
"Matthew 25:43-45
43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"
Over the past few weeks I have been learning of God's love for me. I wanted to at least be faithful and help the needy. Little did I know that God had already ordered my steps. As I arrived back at the church with subway for the homeless guys I saw that cars were now at the church.
I stepped inside and I came upon a girl. I asked her if they were doing the Truth Project, she replied yes and that it was being held upstairs.
I walk upstairs and I'm like, "Hello, I heard you were doing the Truth Project". I was graciously accepted by those who were there. I thank God for picking me up and carrying me. If I had suppressed the Spirit I would have ended up at home with nothing. But by walking by faith God gifted to me new friends. I enjoyed my time on Saturday and I knew God had placed me where he wanted me to be. I was able to give a mini testimony of my passion for the Japanese people and how God led me to their church, my new home away from home. God truly works in mysterious ways, and I thank Him so much for all that he has done.
God answered my prayer of, "Father for your glory". I am now part of a church that I will be able to get involved with and the people of this church are after God's heart. I await to see the Lord move in awesome ways.
まいにち、 ｲｴｽ は とても いい です！ Jesus is good, all the time.
May the Lord fill you with hope and joy as you continually walk by faith with Him.
It's a pretty big church, coming from a small church background where I feel it's important for everyone to know everyone it made it a bit difficult to get really involved in the church. It was my heart's desire to get more involved.
God saw, heard and answered my prayer. All I had to do was take a step out of the boat and fix my eyes on Jesus. And here is how it happened.
As you've read before, God has put a passion for Japan on my heart. After talking with Rocky and Steven the flame was fanned even more. I decided to see if google could bring up any results for a Japanese church. Lo behold, I found one in San Diego; San Diego Japanese Christian church. It was awesome, the Lord showed me a church. And then that's when fear set in, "I'm not Japanese, so will I be accepted?" Satan attacked me where I was weak. My identity is not in people, it is in the Lord, and if these people were in Christ then I would be a fellow brother in Christ to them. I told my mother about it and she told me to check it out and said the Spirit would open and close the doors for me to walk through.
I was looking on their website and found the Church's newsletter. In it I read they were going through the Truth Project (an amazing study program by Dr. Del Tackett). Back at Harbor Light Open Bible Church (my home church in Everett, WA) we were going through it also. I saw it was being done on Saturdays, I figured I'd check it out because I really enjoyed the Truth project and like my mother said, "if this is where God was leading me, it would all work out and He would be Glorified through it."
Saturday rolls around and as the hours pass by until the start of it that same fear sank in again. I prayed and it left. (praise God) At about 5:15 I left to get on the trolley. At 5:45 I arrive at City College, it's raining and dark and I got a .6 mile walk to get to the church. I arrive at 6:00 and the only people that are there were homeless people who were camping out to be out of the rain. The newsletter said it started at 6:30, so I started waiting. 15 mins pass by, still no one shows up. I say to myself, "I guess this wasn't your will Lord". But I wanted to wait until 6:30 just in case someone did show up. Another 15 mins pass by and still no one showed up. I was now under the impression that it wasn't God's will. I started heading on back to the station to go back home. As I was walking back I was convicted to buy the homeless people food. I tried to avoid it, I wasn't too happy at that time. As I was waiting for the trolley, I looked over and saw subway and again I was convicted, but this time with a verse.
"Matthew 25:43-45
43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"
Over the past few weeks I have been learning of God's love for me. I wanted to at least be faithful and help the needy. Little did I know that God had already ordered my steps. As I arrived back at the church with subway for the homeless guys I saw that cars were now at the church.
I stepped inside and I came upon a girl. I asked her if they were doing the Truth Project, she replied yes and that it was being held upstairs.
I walk upstairs and I'm like, "Hello, I heard you were doing the Truth Project". I was graciously accepted by those who were there. I thank God for picking me up and carrying me. If I had suppressed the Spirit I would have ended up at home with nothing. But by walking by faith God gifted to me new friends. I enjoyed my time on Saturday and I knew God had placed me where he wanted me to be. I was able to give a mini testimony of my passion for the Japanese people and how God led me to their church, my new home away from home. God truly works in mysterious ways, and I thank Him so much for all that he has done.
God answered my prayer of, "Father for your glory". I am now part of a church that I will be able to get involved with and the people of this church are after God's heart. I await to see the Lord move in awesome ways.
まいにち、 ｲｴｽ は とても いい です！ Jesus is good, all the time.
May the Lord fill you with hope and joy as you continually walk by faith with Him.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Virtual Trip to Japan
Over the past few weeks I have been led by God into learning more about Japanese Christians. I found myself at youtube looking for Japanese Christian music. I came across a video and in it a Japanese woman by the name of Shinobu talked about her hope for revival in Japan. I noticed Kitakyushu bible church listed as the church she was from. The info on the video said to search hope for japan for more info. So I did just that, and I came across a site and blog of a guy named Steven.
I found out that he is doing missions work in Japan. I sent him an email and started talking to him. I truly believe him to be a man of God. Keep him and his family in your prayers as he works with The Evangelical Alliance Mission to reach Japan.
Upon talking to him I wanted to learn more about the church in Kitakyushu and I came across a Japanese man of God by the name of Rocky. His ministry to reach his fellow countrymen through music is so amazing. I found his family's blog and his facebook. I am amazed at the work God is doing through his family and him. Jesus' love endures forever. I sent him a message on facebook and I thank God for putting him into my life, even if its just over the internet. I hope one day to fellowship with him in the Lord.
I praise God for the gift of being able to converse with people in Japan. They are fanning the flame in my heart for the Japanese people and I await the day the Lord sends me to Japan to worship along side them.
God Bless
I found out that he is doing missions work in Japan. I sent him an email and started talking to him. I truly believe him to be a man of God. Keep him and his family in your prayers as he works with The Evangelical Alliance Mission to reach Japan.
Upon talking to him I wanted to learn more about the church in Kitakyushu and I came across a Japanese man of God by the name of Rocky. His ministry to reach his fellow countrymen through music is so amazing. I found his family's blog and his facebook. I am amazed at the work God is doing through his family and him. Jesus' love endures forever. I sent him a message on facebook and I thank God for putting him into my life, even if its just over the internet. I hope one day to fellowship with him in the Lord.
I praise God for the gift of being able to converse with people in Japan. They are fanning the flame in my heart for the Japanese people and I await the day the Lord sends me to Japan to worship along side them.
God Bless
A note from Spurgeon
“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people ... Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.”
- Lev 19:16, Lev 19:17
"Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God’s Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord’s people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah’s wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond-SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.
The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike, and under God’s blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and keep ourselves to the work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend we become ourselves partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in his warning given to Peter, the prayer with which he preceded it, and the gentle way in which he bore with Peter’s boastful denial that he needed such a caution."
I think Spurgeon has hit the nail dead on. I've seen terrible things happen in the church due to gossip. Families broken, brothers and sisters in Christ torn apart and much more. The love of Jesus is suppressed when we speak ill of others. I think it best to go to the Word and reflect upon Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Why must the body of Christ struggle with his or her brothers and sisters? I pray that God writes these verses on the tablet of our heart. As it is said in the book of Proverbs chapter 3 verse 3. "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." I pray the Lord will teach everyone of us to love first so that we may not struggle amongst ourselves.
Glory be to the God Most High, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
- Lev 19:16, Lev 19:17
"Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God’s Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord’s people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah’s wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond-SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.
The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike, and under God’s blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and keep ourselves to the work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend we become ourselves partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in his warning given to Peter, the prayer with which he preceded it, and the gentle way in which he bore with Peter’s boastful denial that he needed such a caution."
I think Spurgeon has hit the nail dead on. I've seen terrible things happen in the church due to gossip. Families broken, brothers and sisters in Christ torn apart and much more. The love of Jesus is suppressed when we speak ill of others. I think it best to go to the Word and reflect upon Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Why must the body of Christ struggle with his or her brothers and sisters? I pray that God writes these verses on the tablet of our heart. As it is said in the book of Proverbs chapter 3 verse 3. "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." I pray the Lord will teach everyone of us to love first so that we may not struggle amongst ourselves.
Glory be to the God Most High, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
I've decided to take a step into faith and now I'm going to blog about what the Lord is doing in my life.
A little bit about me.
Name- Daniel, but my family calls me DJ. You may think I'm missing a period between the D and J but I'm not. The J in my name stands for absolutely nothing. My Dad's name is Daniel too, but our middle names are different so I'm not a junior. Though my mom didn't want to call me Daniel, so DJ it is haha.
Age- 21, I just turned 21 April 5th. I was born in 1988 in the small lake town of Geneva, Ohio in the Northeastern part of Ohio near Lake Erie.
Job- ET3 Navy, the Lord currently has me as an Electronics Technician Third Class in the U.S. Navy. My heart's desire is to preach in Japan and be a missionary after I get out in 2013, I believe the Lord has given me my heart to reach the lost people in Japan and I'm excited at the work He is doing in me.
Backstory- How did the Lord bring about the passion for the Japanese people you ask? Let me tell you :D Living in Ohio when I was younger, my mother was friends with a Japanese lady by the name of Makiko, we called her Micky. It was always a joy when she and her kids were around. My childhood wasn't so good and I latched onto the good things to survive. I thank the Lord for the blessing she was to our family. I adored her so much!
When I was going into third grade, my mother by that time was legally separated and was raising my 2 sisters and I as a single mother. She was taking courses through Kent State University and we moved to Kent, Ohio. There we lived on the campus apartments and there the Lord placed me into an environment that was rich with cultures from all over the world. From 3rd to 5th grade I was raised up around people from all over. My best friend was a kid named Sunny who was Korean, I wish I could find him again today as he was pretty cool.
Going into 6th grade my mom had remarried and we moved to Everett, Washington, my stepdad was in the Navy and had orders to Port Operations there. When I got to WA, I was pretty miserable. I no longer was around my friends and the things that kept my mind off the bad stuff were no longer there. My mother kept us in Church but I was bitter. For the first 3 years in Everett I was not a happy camper. When I got into highschool I became more depressed. Things progressed worse, the stuff that happened to me when I was younger kept piercing my mind. As time progressed my heart was hardened towards the Lord and I became a a bitter person. I stopped going to Church all the time by the end of Sophomore year and dived deep into online games to escape from reality. By 11th grade I was disassociating myself with those around me. The breaking point was the girl whom I dated in 11th grade was moving towards a more and more physical relationship and that sparked memories of things that happened when I was a kid. I started avoiding her and then we broke up. I thought I was okay then, but I wasn't my past seemed to have caught up with me. I couldn't run away anymore.
Finally I got to a point where I was about to explode, I couldn't keep it in any longer so I wrote a letter to my mother about the things that had happened that she did not know about. She got me into counseling, it helped a little but not really. I took some medication but that didn't help. I was at the end of my rope. I couldn't continue on any longer in the life I was living. I had been angry with God. I did not want to believe He existed because if He did then why was I suffering?
My mother invited me back to Church to listen to a missionary by the name of Steve Manning. Our church had been supporting him for quite sometime. At first I was going to decline her offer and go do my weekly missions and quests in Final Fantasy XI Online. But something that night was different and I felt like I should go to see what exactly my mother was talking about. So I went and while listening to Him I heard a message that spoke Truth to my heart. That God wants a relationship with me and He sent His Son Jesus to reconcile us to Him. Oct 3 2006 I dedicated my life to the Lord and trusted Jesus as my savior. God had opened my heart to see and hear a message that made me realize that there is only meaning in life in Christ Jesus.
Since then I've been a work in progress and I looked back at my past and I saw where the Lord was with me. I had been angry at him for the stuff that happened but I now saw all that he had done. And through the bad times, the light that Miko was, the Lord has shown me that through her we were greatly blessed. And that has given me a passion for the Japanese people.
I am being led by God. I want to walk by faith, step by step everyday with Him. The call to me when I awake, "DJ, I'm going to meet with people today. Do you want to come along?" And my response back to Him is, "Yes Lord, I will follow after you".
I pray that my life and God's walk with me be a testimony to the love of Jesus to whoever is reading.
A little bit about me.
Name- Daniel, but my family calls me DJ. You may think I'm missing a period between the D and J but I'm not. The J in my name stands for absolutely nothing. My Dad's name is Daniel too, but our middle names are different so I'm not a junior. Though my mom didn't want to call me Daniel, so DJ it is haha.
Age- 21, I just turned 21 April 5th. I was born in 1988 in the small lake town of Geneva, Ohio in the Northeastern part of Ohio near Lake Erie.
Job- ET3 Navy, the Lord currently has me as an Electronics Technician Third Class in the U.S. Navy. My heart's desire is to preach in Japan and be a missionary after I get out in 2013, I believe the Lord has given me my heart to reach the lost people in Japan and I'm excited at the work He is doing in me.
Backstory- How did the Lord bring about the passion for the Japanese people you ask? Let me tell you :D Living in Ohio when I was younger, my mother was friends with a Japanese lady by the name of Makiko, we called her Micky. It was always a joy when she and her kids were around. My childhood wasn't so good and I latched onto the good things to survive. I thank the Lord for the blessing she was to our family. I adored her so much!
When I was going into third grade, my mother by that time was legally separated and was raising my 2 sisters and I as a single mother. She was taking courses through Kent State University and we moved to Kent, Ohio. There we lived on the campus apartments and there the Lord placed me into an environment that was rich with cultures from all over the world. From 3rd to 5th grade I was raised up around people from all over. My best friend was a kid named Sunny who was Korean, I wish I could find him again today as he was pretty cool.
Going into 6th grade my mom had remarried and we moved to Everett, Washington, my stepdad was in the Navy and had orders to Port Operations there. When I got to WA, I was pretty miserable. I no longer was around my friends and the things that kept my mind off the bad stuff were no longer there. My mother kept us in Church but I was bitter. For the first 3 years in Everett I was not a happy camper. When I got into highschool I became more depressed. Things progressed worse, the stuff that happened to me when I was younger kept piercing my mind. As time progressed my heart was hardened towards the Lord and I became a a bitter person. I stopped going to Church all the time by the end of Sophomore year and dived deep into online games to escape from reality. By 11th grade I was disassociating myself with those around me. The breaking point was the girl whom I dated in 11th grade was moving towards a more and more physical relationship and that sparked memories of things that happened when I was a kid. I started avoiding her and then we broke up. I thought I was okay then, but I wasn't my past seemed to have caught up with me. I couldn't run away anymore.
Finally I got to a point where I was about to explode, I couldn't keep it in any longer so I wrote a letter to my mother about the things that had happened that she did not know about. She got me into counseling, it helped a little but not really. I took some medication but that didn't help. I was at the end of my rope. I couldn't continue on any longer in the life I was living. I had been angry with God. I did not want to believe He existed because if He did then why was I suffering?
My mother invited me back to Church to listen to a missionary by the name of Steve Manning. Our church had been supporting him for quite sometime. At first I was going to decline her offer and go do my weekly missions and quests in Final Fantasy XI Online. But something that night was different and I felt like I should go to see what exactly my mother was talking about. So I went and while listening to Him I heard a message that spoke Truth to my heart. That God wants a relationship with me and He sent His Son Jesus to reconcile us to Him. Oct 3 2006 I dedicated my life to the Lord and trusted Jesus as my savior. God had opened my heart to see and hear a message that made me realize that there is only meaning in life in Christ Jesus.
Since then I've been a work in progress and I looked back at my past and I saw where the Lord was with me. I had been angry at him for the stuff that happened but I now saw all that he had done. And through the bad times, the light that Miko was, the Lord has shown me that through her we were greatly blessed. And that has given me a passion for the Japanese people.
I am being led by God. I want to walk by faith, step by step everyday with Him. The call to me when I awake, "DJ, I'm going to meet with people today. Do you want to come along?" And my response back to Him is, "Yes Lord, I will follow after you".
I pray that my life and God's walk with me be a testimony to the love of Jesus to whoever is reading.
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