Faithfulness: a gift of the Spirit

Faithfulness of the Lord.

This is what He does. This is who He is. Faithful. He is Faithful. It is His Character.

Isa 49:7b

This is what the LORD says—
"Kings will see you and rise up,
princes will see and bow down,
because of the LORD, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

Isa 55:3

Give ear and come to Me;
hear Me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
My faithful love promised to David.

He is a God of a history of being Faithful!

One of our favorite hymns of all time is Great is Thy Faithfulness. We sang it at our wedding and also during sadder times. The truth remains the same.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Faithful.

This word, FAITHFULNESS, is one of the fruit of the Spirit that we read about in Galatians 5:22-26.

Someone said once that the dog was Man’s best friend. His faithful buddy throughout life. We hear stories of faithfulness in friendships, in songs and in literature as well.

Mankind have a powerful tendency to be faithful to what they think is truly important, be it a family name, spouse, friendship, political party, employer, school, athletic team or even certain things like a make of automobile.

William Barclay writes in his commentary on Galatians, "This word (pistis) is common in secular Greek for trust-worth-iness. It is the characteristic of the man who is reliable" (p. 51). Again, dogs can be reliable but there is a huge difference here.

Other synonyms include dedicated, steadfast, devoted, dependable, accurate, true, conscientious, dutiful, careful, and thorough.

Faithfulness does not appear in the New Testament King James Bible in English but it does in Greek, I am told. The opposite Faithless means "not keeping faith; dishonest; disloyal; unreliable; undependable; unbelieving." Its synonyms include doubting, treacherous and unscrupulous. Clearly NOT a good human feature.

Not too long ago, a person's word was his bond, and mere handshakes sealed major business agreements. Historians say that faithfulness was such a hallmark of the Roman Republic that not one divorce occurred in its first seven hundred years! In the last 50 years our world has seen a devastating, family-destroying rise in the divorce rate that threatens the very stability of our society.

Faithlessness is playing a major role in this destruction. People are without natural affection and traitors to their marital contract. Child abuse is becoming ever more prevalent. Athletes seem to break contracts almost at will. Manufacturers lie about what is really in their products, and workers cheat in the quality of their work.

Faithlessness is rising to its peak because of self-centeredness, the grand-daddy of irresponsibility. It is the spirit of this age, but we have cause to resist it by what God has given us in His revelation-the Bible. God-centeredness in our lives is the answer to faithlessness and irresponsibility. But God-centeredness is not cheap, and few are willing to pay the price: their lives!

Look in the Old Testament story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:16-28.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel and rescued His servants! They trusted in Him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”

Even IF He does not rescue us, this will not change our heart on Who He is! No matter, if not here-than in the hereafter. His promise to be with us stands any test the King will throw at us! And either way, we will never worship anything less than God. You can burn us but He will remain on the throne. No other gods except the God of Creation!

Do you have that confidence in Him?

In the NT, this word takes different forms. 2 Timothy 1:12

“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day”.

2 Timothy 2:13

if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.

We can fully trust Him all the way to death simply because “He cannot deny Himself.” God’s very nature, His Character has no room for anything but faithfulness. It follows His Own Law. He cannot turn from that—even a little, even the smallest degree.

But when we move along in life, we find that we run both cold and hot, and drop below our best standards. Even then, He remains faithful. Wonder of wonder. He stays the same.

Why? Because He IS Faithful. WE CAN TRUST HIM!

In the New Testament, we can find many examples of our ‘roles’ in the Christian walk to be faithful. Showing ourselves to be faithful in service, faithful in prayer and faithful in attitude.

Philippines 2:1-8

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Rom 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Rom 3:3-4a
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! …

1 Cor 4:2

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

How? By keeping connected to the vine! AND keeping an active faithful life!

Ps 115:1

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to Your Name be the Glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.

Ps 117:2

For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

In all things, no matter what is going on in your life, He remains Faithful! He always will be Faithful. Always will! Now, our ROLE is to trust Him. Even that is a gift from His Heart to us who believe.

Praise the Lord.

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Next week is Communion Sunday and the topic will be Self-Control. How often do you need self-control? How many times are we in need of this Fruit of the Spirit? Come next week and seek His Heart together with others on this Walk of Faith.

May His Grace fill your hearts with His joy!

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Comments from readers...

Thanks to Andrew for his comment on my last blog. Andrew said...

Always a favorite note of encouragement, in addition to Psalm 42. I'll be praying for you and your family, here and abroad.

Feel free to add any more comments as you see fit. May the Lord guide all your hearts in Christ Jesus.

The Lord is Near

Hello, my Friends, from a hotel near LAX, in Los Angeles, Calif!

This has been a wild and emotional trip to the States. There were personal matters that I needed to attend while on this trip and there has not been much time for rest or self-care. During this visit, I have come to understand how it was for King David during a hard time he was going through. Remember the story?

He and his band of fighters had just had a successful raid, only to return to find that their wives and family and the loot they had massed was now gone. Certain tribal men had attacked his camp and had taken them away. His men were heart broken. They were angry. They were ready to stone their leader! Things looked bad for David.


So what did he do?

He strengthened himself in the Lord.

He rehearsed what the Lord had shown him during the weeks and years before this difficultly and he saw that his God was able to hold him up. He strengthened himself in the Lord.

Can you do that? Are you able to look into your life and see the handiwork of a loving God working in your life? Can you hear that still silent voice during the loud times of pain and despair? Can you ID the Hand of God in your Walk of Faith?

David could and he was lifted up AFTER he strengthened himself in the Lord. The Lord is near. Let's talk about how that is done. Send me some ideas how you do that and I will share them here on this blog.

David strengthened himself in the Lord. Can you?

Freedom In Christ: Goodness. 善意 Life by the Spirit

キリストにある自由　：　善意　－　御霊による生活
GAL 5:1, 4, 5, 16-26.
ガラテヤ５：１，４，５，１６－２６

In review, God has given us gifts from His Heart to move us along in our Spiritual walk/journey. He as not left us to grow on our own. We are to grow in Community and in the Spirit. This means it is not good for people to stand alone in the Faith.
神さまは私たちが御霊によって歩めるように賜物をくださいました。自分で成長しなさいとは言われませんでした。私たちはコミュニティにより、また霊により成長するのです。ですから一人で信仰生活を送るのは良くありません。

NOT at all. In Biblical History, we see man after man, standing NOT ALONE but with others. Noah had his sons, Joseph had Egyptian workers, Abraham had his wife and nephew, David had his Men of Valor, and Moses had Aaron and his leaders. Samson even had his helpers who moved him to the center columns of the building. All needed the fellowship of others.
絶対によくないのです。聖書の歴史上の人たちは決して一人ではなく他の人々と共に信仰に立っていました。ノアとその息子たち、ヨセフとエジプトの同労者たち、アブラハムとその妻や甥、ダビデと勇士たち、モーセとアロンと指導者たち。柱を倒したサムソンでさえも仲間が居ました。全ての人に仲間が必要なのです。

And in the New Testament, we see the same. Even Jesus had his 12, His close friends (three), Paul had his Timothy, Priscilla had her Aquila and they were there for Apollos.
新約聖書も同様です。イエス様にも12人の弟子と友だちが3人いました。パウロにはテモテが、プリシラにアクラが、アポロにはプリシラとアクラがいました。

Why, because we are to live and work in community with each other. One of the reasons we are here together today is that your Pastors got together one day and said: “Let's worship together!”
It is expressing the Freedom we have in Christ. He has indeed set us free.
何故でしょうか？私たちは共に生活し、働く共同体が必要なのです。私たちが今日、この場所に集まっている理由の一つは牧師が一緒に礼拝しましょうと言ったからです。キリストにある自由を一緒に体験しているからです。イエス様は私たちを自由にしてくださいました。

Free from the punishment of Sin by accepting His Son as our Savior. Freedom to follow His Lead. Freedom to obey His Holy Spirit. Freedom to stand firm and not let ourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery---as we once lived in our wrong actions and falling short of the mark.
神の御子を救い主として受け入れることにより裁きから逃れることが出来たのです。私たちにはイエス様についていく自由、聖霊様に従う自由があります。また、信仰に堅く立ち奴隷のくびきを負うことから自由になりました。今まで私たちは間違った生き方をしていました。

We need a Savior! We are trying to make it in this world on our own. After a while, it comes to us-some of us-that this can't be done by ourselves. He has planned to come along side us and give us gifts to move us closer. This comes with the indwelling of His Spirit. He gives us the Fruit of the Spirit, (FOUND in GAL 5).
私たちには救い主が必要なのです。自分たちの力で生きようとしていますが、自分の力で生きれなくなる日がくるのです。神さまは私たちの傍に来てくださり、神と共に歩むことが出来るように賜物をくれたのです。私たちの中に住んでくださる聖霊です。聖霊は御霊の実を与えてくださいました。

We spoke of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience and last week, we looked at Kindness. Today, we are looking at LIFE BY THE SPIRIT with GOODNESS.
ここ数週間、愛、喜び、平安、寛容、親切について学びました。善意の霊による生活を見ていきます。

To see this GOODNESS in our God and in history, let's look back at

PROVERBS 11:25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

神さまの善意と歴史上の善意を見るために、
箴言11章25節を読みましょう。

「おおらかな人は肥え、人を潤すものは自分も潤される」

It is not: I'll refresh someone SO THAT I WILL GET A REWARD. So often, we may use this idea in our giving. There cannot be any strings attached to the gift…really. No strings attached to the giving of help or a spoken word. A generous man is that way because he does not want things returned to him.
人を潤せば見返るが来る・・人に何かをあげるときそう考え勝ちですが、人への贈り物をするときにはそう考えてはいけません。人にあげるものには見返りという紐は付いていないのです。気前のよい人は見返りを求めることはしません。

He has a generous heart because of what the Lord has done in him. The return is not to be sought after. Ever! We don't give to get! This goes along with tithing to the local Church. Give to the Lord your tithe and an offering because He has said for us to do that. Not so that we get blessed. Doing so-we are obedient.
神様が人の心に気前の良さを与えてくださいます。見返りなど求めない心をです。
何かをもらう為にあげないでください。教会への献金もそうしてください。
什一献金や礼拝献金は神さまに言われたからするのであって、祝福を受けるためにするものではありません。神さまの言葉に従うから献金するのです。

An excellent example of this goodness is found in MATT 20:1-16.
Tell the story… . Four different men said they would work for a denarius a day. (was worth a good day's wage or they are worth from $15.00 to $100.00 + on e-bay today.)
マタイ２０：１－１６に善意についての素晴らしい例が書かれています。
4人の男性が一日一デナリで働くと約束しました。（デナリは約一日分の賃金または＄15－＄100の価値があります）

15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

１５：自分のもの自分の思うようにしてはいけないという法がありますか。それとも、私が気前がいいので、あなたの目にはねたましく思われるのですか。」

There would be a call of unfair-trade practice, or foul play. Some called the boss unfair as the ones who came later got the same pay for the little work they did as the ones who worked all day for that same pay. As the owner said, it was his money. This was the agreement!
ここで不公平や不当なことがあったのでしょうか？ある人は雇い主に少ししか働かなかった人と一日中働いた人の賃金が同じなのは不公平だといいました。
雇い主は言いました。これは私のお金です。最初の約束したとおりです。

Can't he do with it as he sees fit? He is generous, yes, but he is also showing Goodness or Generosity to both groups. It's a God-like trait. This is a good thing!
As with the parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15.11-32), God's Grace is shown to both parties while one grumbles about unjust treatment and the other just feels so in touch with the Father.
雇い主がしたことは適切だと思いませんか？彼は気前がよい人でしたがどちらの人にも善意を示しました。それは神さまの特質でもあります。彼はとても良いことをしたのです。
放蕩息子のたとえ話しにあるように（ルカ15:11－32）不公平だと文句を言う息子にも、また戻ってきた息子にも神さまは恵みを表してくださいました。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

GAL 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

善意について―キリストにある自由
ガラテヤ6:9－10
善を行うのに飽いてはいけません。失望せずにいれば時期が来て、刈り取ることになります。
ですから、私たちは機会のあるたびに、全ての人に対して特に信仰の家族に人たちに善を行いましょう。

Charity begins at home. All over the Bible, we can see that this goodness is first shared within the Family. It is a sign of love to the family. Not being unkind to outsiders: this is the varsity team. To play in the varsity team, you need to be a varsity player. To take part in the main event, you are part of the Family.
慈善は家庭から始まります。聖書のどこにでも善意はまず、家族の間から始まったと書いてあります。

Part of the good we are to do is to GO. Matt 28 tells us to GO and make disciples of ALL nations. As this is the last command Jesus gives to His Church, it is imperative that we follow it. In the military, the soldier is to follow the LAST order he gets. Look at the last order:
また外に出て行き善意をすることができます。マタイ20章では出て行きあらゆる国の人々を弟子としなさいと書かかれています。これはイエスが教会に与えた最後の命令で、私たちにも当てはまるのです。軍隊でも兵士は最後に与えられた命令に従います。ではイエス様が残した最後の命令を見てみましょう

Go, Make, Baptize 'em, Teach 'em, …for I am with you-forever.
行って弟子を作る、バプテスマを授け、教え・・・わたしはあなた方と永遠にともにいます。

Keep going, don't stop, it was His last order. If we do give up, there will not be a harvest! So GO, until He says stop or go back. And don't grow tired of this. FOR the harvest is the reward for both the go-ier and those (s)he goes to. Don't give up. Keep showing goodness to all people.
立ち止まらずに歩き続けるのです。これはイエス様の最後の命令だから。
もし私たちが諦めてしまうなら、収穫はありません。だからイエス様が戻って来なさいというまで歩き続けるのです。飽きずに続けましょう。
収穫は出て行く者たちの報酬となるからです。諦めないで、すべての人々によくしてあげましょう。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

2 TIM 3:17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

善意について―キリストにある自由

Ⅱテモテ３：１７　それは神の人が、すべての良い働きのためにふさわしい十分に整えられた者となるためです。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

The Sermon on the Plain. Luke 6. This chapter gives the fair response to being a recipient of God's Grace. Followers of Jesus-His Disciples, are to live and relate to others in a way that stands out from how people relate to one another in the world.
この章は神さまの恵みの公平な受け取り方が書いてあります。イエス様に従うものはイエス様の弟子であり、この世の人々の関わりの持ち方よりも優れたやり方で他の人と関わり生活をするべきです。

We are to love and pray for our enemies. Righteousness He places in us requires that we respond wisely to Jesus' words by building our lives around His teaching. In the end, disciples are to live and look different from the rest of the world, even as they reach out compassionately to that lost world.
私たちは敵を愛し敵のために祈るのです。イエス様は私たちに正義を与えてくれました。それはイエス様の教えを築き上げ賢く対処するためです。最終的に弟子たちはこの世の人々とは違って見られるようになりました。彼らは思いやりを持って人々に接したのです。

This freedom we are to live out in very practical terms may mean that we change how we look at people. Not that we pray against those outside the faith or outside the light we have, no! We are to love them.
私たちは人々に対する見方を変え、実践的な生き方が出来るようになる世です。
信仰を持たない人のために祈るだけではなく、私たちは彼らに愛を示しましょう。

2 PETER 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Ⅱペテロ３：９主はある人たちがおそいと思っているように、その約束のことを遅らせておられるのではありません。かえって、あなたがたに対して忍耐深くあられるのであって、ひおとりでも滅びることを望まず、すべての人が悔い改めに進むことを望んでおられるのです。

And we are to love them with God's Goodness: HIS PATIENT LOVE. Those who walk with Jesus need to, perhaps, change how we think-how we love-how we act toward those outside our world.
Apart from being IN Christ, we really don't look any different from the world system.
神さまの忍耐、愛、善意を持って人々を愛しましょう。イエス様と共に歩んでいる人は人々にどう接し、どう愛するかについて考え方を変えるべきなのかもしれません。イエス様から離れたらわたしたちはこの世のあり方と全く変わらない者となってしまいます。

We follow their adds for what we want-what they want us to buy. We learn to believe what they teach us to believe-by heeding their teaching, we kill those we don't want, we buy what we can't afford, we conduct ourselves in the ways they do RATHER than being the salt. We need to bringing God's Change on our society.
この世の考えに従うことで、彼らの言うとおりに買い物をし、彼らが信じるものを信じるようになります。そして殺したくない人をも殺してしまうでしょう。
また、余裕がないのに買い物をして地の塩になるどころかこの世と同じになってしまうのです。

For example: I'm a fan of Old movies. James Cagney was one of my favorite actors. His tough guy attitude was fun to watch acted out in his characters. A lot of believers pick up on one of his lines and make it their theology of how we deal with those outside the faith. He would say: “You dirty rat, you should not have done that!”
たとえばですが、私は古い映画が大好きです。ジェームス・キャグニーは好きな俳優の一人です。彼が腕っ節の強い男を演じるのを見るのが大好きです。大勢の信者がそのセリフをこの世を相手にするときに言っています。「汚いねずみたち、お前たちは間違っている。」

Some in the Church say the same thing about those outside the Faith. But Jesus wants more out of us. His call to His Followers is a call not to condemn the world, but zeroes in on our actions and attitudes toward others.
信仰を持ってない人にそういうクリスチャンもいます。しかしイエス様は私たちの行動を望んでおられます。イエス様は弟子たちをこの世を非難するために集めたわけではなく、この世に対して良い行いをするようにと言われました。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

One is to be generous and another is not keeping accounts. This is a FREEDOM we have. Disciples should be marked by a genuine readiness to meet needs.
気前が良い人もいますし、人を赦さない人もいます。その選択は私たちに負かされています。しかし、キリストの弟子である私たちは喜んで人の必要を満たしてあげるべきです。

To the one who begs; give. From the one who takes; do not seek to get it back. Resources are not to be hoarded, but generously distributed. (See 1 Timothy 6:8-18.) In the case of thievery, no pursuit of retribution or payback or revenge.
物乞いをする者には与え、盗むものから取り返してはいけない。富は貯めておくものではない。しかし善意はばら撒かれる。（Ⅰテモテ6:8－18）盗まれたことに関して、懲罰や報復をしないようにと書かれてあります。

Such self-denial is the essence of love, which is God's Goodness being acted out in Life. The complete example of this is the Cross. Jesus gave to those who had taken. No payback. He took our sins-short comings on Himself.
愛のゆえに自分を捨てることで神の善意を表すことが出来るのです。この完全な模範は十字架です。イエス様は自分のものを盗んだ人に与えました。取り戻したりしませんでした。イエス様は私たちの罪と短所を取り除いてくださったのです。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

When His opponents took His life, Jesus did not seek reprisal but prayed “Father, forgive them…” prayed for their forgiveness. Jesus was more interested in giving something that would build than in retrieving what had been taken.
反対派の人々がイエス様の命を奪ったとき、報復を求めずに祈りました。
「父よ彼らをお赦しください。」と彼らの罪の赦しのために祈ったのです。イエス様は取られたものに対する報復よりも与えることを望みました。

This is a picture of action that manifests radical love. The world's standards of love should be improved on-not followed. But we can only accept such a standard if we believe that God will see the Faithful. You are not alone! Without a God-view to build on, Jesus' ethics fade into pointlessness and lacks wisdom.
これが本当の素晴らしい愛の表れです。この世の愛の基準は改善されるべきだと思います。もし私たちが神さまの誠実さと報いを信じるならこの世の愛の基準をも受け入れることが出来るのです。神様の価値観に基礎を置かなければ、イエス様の道徳は無意味で愚かなものになってしまいます。

So Jesus offers what became known in the sixteenth century as the "golden rule": Do to others as you would have them do to you. The verse has Old Testament roots

(LEV 19:18 “'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD'”).

Jesus is not saying, "Do good deeds for others so they will return the favor."
イエス様が言われたことは16世紀に大切な原則となりました。「自分にしてもらいたいように他の人にもしてあげなさい。」

これはレビ記の19:18から来ています。「復讐してはならない。あなたの国の人々を恨んではならない。あなたの隣人をあなた自身のように愛しなさい。わたしは主である。」

イエス様は隣人に良いことをしなさい。彼らはあなたに見返りをくれるだろう」とは言っていないのです。

Instead Jesus is calling for actions of love regardless of how the other responds. Nor is He saying, "Think of what you like, then do that for others." Rather, we are to be sensitive to the needs, feelings and concerns of others and seek to meet them.
他の人がどんな反応をしようともイエス様は愛を実行されました。イエス様は「他人のことよりも自分の好きなことを考えなさい。」とは言われませんでした。

Sensitivity in love means listening and serving. This does not mean ignoring moral limits, as Jesus makes them very clear, but it does mean caring enough to be concern-ed about how others feel. There is an old saying "walk a mile in my shoes" and it might fit here: we are to look at things from another's perspective and then we are to act and act with concern for them, for Christ' sake.
愛に敏感になるとは相手に耳を傾け、仕えることです。限界を無視する意味ではなく、相手の気持ちを十分に思いやるということなのです。
ことわざでは「自分の靴をはかせてあげる」といいます。その言葉はここに当てはまると思います。他の人の観点から物事を見て、イエス様のように思いやりを持って行動するべきなのです。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

I read this sometime this week: Terrorist has killed 3,000 US citizens since 1990. Abortionists have killed 4,000 since yesterday. In the today's world, this would mean not just protesting against abortion but being prepared to care for the child that is born to a mother who has chosen not to abort.
今週こんな記事を読みました。「1990年以降、テロリストは3,000人のアメリカ市民を殺した。昨日だけで4,000人が胎児が殺された。」しかしながら中絶に反対するだけではなく、中絶しなかった母親と子どもを助けることも必要です。

Not cutting them off-not shooting the wounded. More than this, we are called to continue to love those who go ahead with their intention to abort. It means not just talking about cultural oneness in the church but acting out real oneness in community.Your life affects my life.
そういう人々を阻害するのではなく、傷ついた人々を攻撃するのではなく、私たちは中絶する人々をも愛し続けるために召されています。
教会では文化の一致について話すだけではなくコミュニティの中での一致を行動で示すべきです。他人の生活が自分の生活に影響を与えるのです。

Even more, Luke 6 calls us to show tangible concern for unbelievers in need, so when someone tells them that God loves them, they will have seen evidence of such love.
ルカの6章は未信者の方の具体的な必要を示しています。もし誰かが神の愛をその人たちに伝えるなら神の愛を知ることが出来るでしょう。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

Jesus repeats His examples in Luke 6:32-34 but adds one more point:
イエス様は、ルカ6:32－34で繰り返し説明しています。

If we love only those who give us love, what is so great about that kind of love? It is like the love sinners give. If we do good only to those who do good to us, what is so special about that? It is like the love sinners give. If we lend money only to those who will respond in kind, what is so honorable about that? It is the ethics sinners have.
自分を愛する者を愛したからといって、あなたがたに何の良いところがあるでしょう。罪人たちでさえ、自分を愛する者を愛しています。自分に良いことをしてくれる者に良いことをしたからといちて、あなた方に何の良いところがあるでしょう。貸してもらうつもりで人にかしてやったからといって、あなたがたに何の良いところがあるでしょう。罪人たちでさえ、罪人に貸しています。

The clear implication is that the disciples are not to live and love like sinners. The love of believers is to be different from the love displayed by the culture. As children of God, believers have been transformed to live in contrast to the way of sinners, modeling the sacrifice of radical love demonstrated on the Cross.
弟子たちは罪人たちのように生活せず、彼らのように愛さないようにとはっきり言われています。クリスチャンの愛は人々が作り出したものとは違います。神の子供としてクリスチャンは十字架上で示された素晴らしい犠牲的な愛を模範として罪人たちとは逆に生きるように変えられたのです。

So Jesus summarizes: love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. When we give, it should not be with strings attached. When we serve, it should be to meet needs, not to give 'tit for tat.' True service involves a giving that does not demand a giving back. The essence of relationship for the child of God is to love to serve and serve to love.
イエス様は要点をまとめて言われました。「あなたの敵を愛し、良くしてあげなさい。返してもらわないつもりで貸しなさい。」私たちが物をあげるとき、見返りを期待してはいけません。私たちが奉仕をするとき相手の必要を満たすべきで、恩を着せてはいけません。本当の奉仕とは恩を着せないですることです。神の子どもである私たちは愛するために奉仕をし、奉仕をして愛を示すのです。

Freedom in Christ in Goodness~

The whole teaching on Goodness centers on thinking like Jesus thought. Responding to life's challenges like the way Jesus responded. To be like Him and that comes with the territory when we are connected to Him. Reflecting Him in our life-style because there is a renewal of the mind.
善意を行う柱はイエス様のように考えることです。イエス様が答えられたように人生の難関に答えていくのです。イエス様に繋がっていれば、私たちはイエス様のようになれるのです。私たちの生活スタイルにイエス様を反映させましょう。
イエス様には私たちの思いを変えることが出来るからです。

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…

ローマ12:2　この世と調子を合わせてはいけません。いや、むしろ神のみこころは何か、すなわち、何がよいことで、神に受け入れられ、完全であるのかを心の一新によって自分を変えなさい。

connected to Him through the VINE.

ぶどうの木であるイエス様に繋がっていましょう！

______-------------__--------------

Next Week at ICCS: Covered Dish after the service. Vineyard Christian Fellowship's Worship Band will lead the Worship time. Pastor Araki will bring the sermon and Tim Timura will translate into English. Come a worship with us! Stay for the meal!

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

... and then there is KINDNESS

#4 of the Fruit

So far, we have looked at four of the fruit of the Spirit that Paul wrote about in Galatians. We considered the need of being connected to the Vine; that is abiding with Jesus at all times…connected to Him through a living relationship found in Jesus alone. We spoke about the need of Love in our lives. Joy being a main ingredient in the Believer’s life. Then true Peace—that passes all understanding. And last week, we spoke on Patience. Today, the Fruit of Kindness.

What is it like to be kind? What is it like to do a kind act toward someone? What is it like to be on the receiving end of kindness? Do you like being around kind people? What is the M.O. of people who show kindness? (Modus operandi often used in the abbreviated forms M.O. or simply Method) is a Latin phrase, approximately translated as "mode of operation".) I’d pick our dear friend Michi H.

If you could pass on any single advice concerning a life of Kindness, what would you say or teach?

When you think of a ‘Kind Person’ what image do you have? A positive one or negative… In History, what names do you associate with being a Kind Person? Is that a quality that is sought after today in the World of business? The arts? In Politics? …In Faith?

Would you call Jesus a kind person? Did He show kindness to people or was He not kind at all?
Let’s look at the Word of God—for this is our source of all knowledge of Him and His ways—and see the following from:

Isa 63:7. I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things He has done for the House of Israel, according to His compassion and many kindnesses.

How has God shown you kindness this week? What is His M.O.?

Here is a place where such things can be brought out into the open. Isaiah wrote that he would take this to the streets…so all could hear for God had done MANY GOOD THINGS.

We are told to be not only connected to the Lord but also to do what He did.

In John 14:12.: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Jesus told us of what the Father told Him.

John 15:15. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father I have made known to you.

One of the things He told us is to tell others of His Kindness. Simple, yes? Not made up stories, not deep theological discourses, not 50 things God wants you to know---just the things He has done for you.

So what has He done for you?
•Directs our hearts.
•Gives us compassion.
•Moves us to action.
•Forgives our bitter heart.
•Restores broken relationships.

All these things are evidence of His Kindness toward us! These are the ‘things’ He wants us to tell. Tell our story.

Rom 11:22. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

His kindness toward us is intense! Think of where we once walked, the life we once lived—
•far from Him,
•distant from the Grace of God,
•self-centered life

Look at the list in Galatians of the 15 negative ways of life we all once walked in—day in and day out! 15 acts of a spiritually defiant, rebellious life VS 9 spiritually, meek, gentle, humble functioning ways of living life in it’s fullness.

Luke 7:46-48 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

The Lord showed sincere kindness to the lady, while the others wanted to stone her. He saw in her a heart that was broken. A life that was worth saving. He extended His Heart of Kindness toward her. In His kindness He did not condemn her, but set her free.

Later, Peter takes these fruit and gives them a growing standard…movement from just something small, for us to grow up into the person God designed us to be. Add to your Faith.

There in the life and growing. Please read:

2 Peter 1:5-9. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

What kind of kindness does He show us?

Ps 18: 30. As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.

He covers us as we connect with Him.

His kindness is not like the kindness of men…not self-seeking, boastful, arrogant, but the kind of kindness that shows us His Character.

Listen to what Jeremiah says!

Jeremiah 9:24. “but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

To find kindness in our life in increasing measure is found in the knowing of the God of all kindness.

“…that he understands and knows Me…”

Being connected to Him, abiding IN Jesus, one finds this Character of God & His Kindness one of the same.

And we come to the Communion Table today to remember His Kindness to us, in that while we were still sinners, He died for us. How Great a Kindness! Not to turn His back on us!

\Psalm 103/

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise His Holy Name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits-
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the people of Israel:
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will He harbor His anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His love for those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him;
for He knows how we are formed,
He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children's children-
with those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.
Praise the LORD, you His angels,
you mighty ones who do His bidding,
who obey His word.
Praise the LORD, all His heavenly hosts,
you His servants who do His will.
Praise the LORD, all His works
everywhere in His dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Next week, the Lord has opened the door for us to fellowship with VCF, Vineyard Christian Fellowship, as their worship hall is being fixed up. Those who are in the area, please come BEFORE 10:30! Please do not stay away!

If this post has helped you in any way, we would really like to hear how. Send your questions and or comments to iccsjapan@yahoo.com May His Grace fill you as you look to Him for life.


Thank you.

___________________

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I'd like to share this video with people who aren't on Facebook.

Go to this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwfMMN71xUw
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Thanks.
Pastor Stan

Patience. The Fruit you want right now!

I came across a few interesting quotes this week on patience.
“How can a society that exists on instant rice, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?” ~Paul Sweeney
“Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead.” ~Mac McCleary
“Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And then in Lamentations 3.25, “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.”

Or, “I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.” Margaret Thatcher

How many times in the day or week has your patience been tested? What are the hot spots that erupt your impatience? Why even try to have this fruit alive and active in your life? I do hope that by the end of our time this morning, you will find a way to build your patience and allow that and other fruit of the Spirit be as natural as breathing.

Face the facts, you all need to breath. We all need to show patience...mainly because our Lord is patient with us...BIG TIME.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

And seeing this fourth fruit is tucked into the other more desirable fruit, we need to realize this fruit is important, too.

From 1 Cor 13:4-10 , we define this fruit: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

Now, lets try something. Put your name in the blank...not to make us feel strange or defeated, but as a target for your life...

____ is patient, ___ is kind. ___ does not envy, ___ does not boast, ___ is not proud. ___ is not rude, ___ is not self-seeking, ___ is not easily angered, ___ keeps no record of wrongs. ___ does not delight in evil but ____rejoices with the truth. ____ always protects, ____ always trusts, ____ always hopes, ____ always perseveres.
____ never fails.

Why is this important? Because...

Patience effects our relationships.

There is a command for patience in the Bible. It is not one that you can pick. I’ll take love and patience but not faithfulness or goodness.

In James 5:7, we read: “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.”

Patience effects our emotions

It comes out in our Stress, we become sick, we act jealous, full of envy.

When you win in cards, running, darts, a lottery, win in love, there is a great reward! There is also a great reward in having patience alive in you.

Hebrews 10:36 (NIV) “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.”

Or from the Amplified Bible “For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.”

When we win in this contest of the battle for our will and spirit, our emotions are lifted and we are set free.

John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The Truth here is that it is promised to us. Enjoy to the full sort of living. There is real freedom in that!

And as we saw from Lamentations 3.25 “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.”

A great reward, indeed!

Patience effects our final ‘run.’

Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”

The complete joy may not be understood now...not yet. There may not be even a hint of joy in what you are going through, but He is faithful. Him, who has called you to follow Him will provide for you a way to stand up and move on with life. Again, it may not look like the dream you once had but in the long run, there will be no more tears, no sadness, no sorrow. It will be His joy in you as you wait...in patience, for Him to bring these things to past.

Six things to look to as this Godly patience is being worked into your impatient lives.

1. Faith: 2 Thess 1:4
2. Wait: Isa 40:31
3. Trust: Isa 25:9
4. Suffering: Romans 5:3-5
5. Obey: 1 Peter 2:18-19
6. Stand firm: James 5:8

To close, I found this quote from maybe a Greek man named Anonymous:

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.”

Moving toward the MARK! Toward the Lord. And this is done with the Holy One working His will out in your life as you surrender to Him...to His tender care for you.

AND REMAIN CONNECTED TO THE VINE.

Next week: Communion Sunday. Come with a prepared heart to remember Him.

And remain in Him!

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