What makes you win your battle?

What makes you win your battle?

For ages, people say “a life is a battle.” For young people, school entrance exams may be their battles, there are battles within businesses, battles against illnesses, and these battles go on until we pass away. It’s depressing…. However, how wonderful it is that the Bible shows us the way we can win our battles. This winning only takes small power, not great one. Small power creates wonderful results.

The time was King Jehoshaphat in the Old Testament. He was faced against a great difficulty (a battle). The enemy was the allied forces of Ammon and Moab. There seemed to be no way of winning this battle. Worries and fears overtook them. The usual strategy for this kind of situation is to increase the number of soldiers and arm force. Yet, Jehoshaphat was different. Instead of strengthening his army, he created a troop of “Thanksgiving and Praises.” And this led to his great victory. You may think it is impossible, yet it is a historical fact. (Refer to 2 Chronicles 20: 20 – 23.)

“Giving thankfulness has the power of changing situation.” !!

On the bulletin board In front of Kongo Baptist Church, there is a picture of a dog sitting by the tree with flowers. It says “If I could give joyful thankfulness like that dog, I wish I could have my wiggling tail, too.” We want to be like that, too. And see the power of God that lead to a great victory.

Senior Pastor Masao Nakanishi

The insurance that guarantees Peace

The year of 2018 has come. Many of us choose our new year’s resolution. Every year, I also do the same. “For this year, I will challenge this, learn that, or reduce certain kilograms of my body weight, etc.”

However, because we are human, we would never know what would happen tomorrow. It would be nice if everything goes well as we plan, yet for many times, things do not go as we hope for. There are hopes and dreams, yet we also have to be prepared for the worst situation. Losing a job, becoming ill, involved in tragedy, or in the worst case is death.

When something happened to you, your families and friends may help you. Yet, no one can take over to be you. Furthermore, no one can take over your responsibilities, at the very end. When something happens to you, who would you depend on? Will you try to cheer yourself up? But, don’t you feel some sort of insecurity?

I have my “insurance”, so I am peaceful. The insurance I am talking about is not something that you can purchase at any of those insurance companies. My insurance is the Bible. Or I can say it is the insurance in the name of Jesus Christ. If you receive this insurance, you could stay peaceful even whatever happens to you tomorrow. Why? Because, this insurance policy promises some guarantees. Here are some guarantees;

・　All those necessary things will be provided. (Matthew 6:33)
・　There is no temptation that you cannot bear. When you are tempted, you will be provided with the way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
・　Even under any anxieties, you will be provided with the peace of God. (Philippians 4:6-7)
・　Even under any difficulties, things will work for good. (Romans 8:28)
・　You will have eternal life, and will not be condemned. (John 5:24)

One wonderful point about this insurance is that there is no monthly insurance premium to pay. It is given to you for free of charge. There is no time-consuming application procedure, nor any renewal charges. Why don’t you take a second look at this insurance. I will guarantee you that you will have a wonderful year of 2018.

Youth Pastor Kenshiro Goto

If there were no Christmas

Not because I am a pastor, but if there were no Christmas, the world would be much dimmer. There would be no Jingle Bells, no White Christmas, no singing of the Silent Night, or no Christmas presents. There would be no pretty illuminations, no Hallelujah Choirs, no parties, no Christmas cakes. It would be such a dim year ending. However, that is not the ultimate loss. The true loss is the loss of salvation given by Jesus Christ who is the hero of the Christmas;

1. We would lose the way of winning the victory over death, which is the greatest fear of mankind,
2. There would be no forgiveness at the Judgement Day by God after our death,
3. The absolute and true value of ourselves would not be provided by anyone,
4. There would be no relief from our fears or loneliness,
5. There would be no peace of mind during our time in troubles.

We would lose all those wonderful things Jesus Christ had done for us. So, when we think of it, we can see how important the salvation given through the birth of Christ was. And that salvation was even given us for free. Listen to the words of Christ,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12, NIV)”

I pray for you that you would visit a church on one of Sundays in the month of December where Christmas is celebrated, and receive this wonderful joy for yourselves.

Senior Pastor Masao Nakanishi