Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 25 - John 14:29

I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. -- John 14:29

Jesus is faithful to his words. I know this because he has shown me again and again how he brings those things to pass that he said would. In this context specifically, I can believe in all of those promises given in this chapter, because I know that soon after he would die, resurrect and ascend. Even as a grain of wheat must die and be buried in order to bear much fruit, have I allowed myself to give space for Jesus to get all the glory?

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness. Even when I am untrue, you are always true. Help me believe more in your words and promise today. Help me to live as you did. In the same way I identified with your death and resurrection in the waters of baptism, help me to continue that identification today. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 24 - John 14:28

You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. -- John 14:28

For me today, that Jesus is not here in person is a simple fact. I can't imagine what it would be for the apostles to hear he was leaving them, even if he would return, even if he would send the Advocate. So much of what Jesus said in these final days leading up to the crucifixion went against their expectations, when everything up to that point had been going so well. How often have I fallen into the trap of a dulled faith that believes the good things right now will always be, when a different kind of difficulty is part of the sovereign plan and comes upon me unexpectedly? 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your promise to return. I too, long to be with you, and with the Father. Help my faith to not become passive as I live in the blessing of your grace, but to be prepared for new challenges. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 23 - John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage. -- John 14:27

When Jesus, prince of peace, became lord of my life, did his peace gain full reign? The peace which is beyond all my understanding is a promise of courage. No more distress. Today as I face the many challenges within, I need it more and more. 

Prayer: Jesus, give me your peace. I surrender my heart to the reign of your peace. Help me consider the challenges I face with serenity of knowing you will help me through them at all times. Give me courage to act boldly and decisively, not paralyzed by thoughts of consequences. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 22 - John 14:26

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you. -- John 14:26

The Holy Spirit is within. Guiding me. Leading me. Teaching me. Training me. Reminding me. The question is only in my sensitivity. Am I ignoring this guidance? Am I tuning it out or ignoring it? The very source of my power and strength. When I am working out of duty and not from a sense of wonder, it means I have gone back to relying on my own capabilities, which leave no room for the miraculous. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, forgive me when I have tried to accomplish my daily tasks out of mere duty. Thank you for patiently reminding me and teaching me, even as I repeatedly ignore your voice. Renew a heart in me that seeks to be amazed and experience awe of you every day. I want to be blown away in wonder of you. Come to me today.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 21 - John 14:25

I have spoken these things while staying with you. -- John 14:25

One of the prerequisites for me to hear his voice is that I am where he is. That is why I need to come to him again. That is why I need to wait on him. That is why I need to stay ready to hear his voice. If I have ever felt far from him, it is not he that has moved. How have I experienced his nearness today?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you remain with me. Through every storm and battle, whether I am even aware of it or not, you stay by my side. You speak to me today and I hear your voice. Help me to dwell, rooted in you, today.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 20 - John 14:24

The person who does not love me does not obey my words. And the word you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me. -- John 14:24

It is my great privilege to be formed and reformed more into the image of Christ. His fingerprints mark the lines that form me. This clear challenge of my willingness to obey brings an almost automatic response to push back. That is how I know I need his help to follow him, and thereby to conform to the father's will.

Prayer: Jesus, help me to keep your words today. Even as the words you speaks are the Father's, let my words be yours as well. Conform me to your image. Thank you for the challenge regarding the true state of my heart, since it reveals my need of you. Have mercy on me, a sinner.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 19 - John 14:22-23

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. — John 14:22-23

Why doesn’t God just show himself to the world? Jesus’ response reveals the importance of love to him. Is his priority mine as well? Jesus doesn’t want to just show himself to me but also to live with me. The word τηρέω means to watch over or guard like a watchman. Have I guarded his words in my heart? 

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for showing yourself to me and dwelling with me. Help me to guard your words to prevent them from escaping. Help me to watch over them to prevent them from being attacked by external influences. My heart’s desire is for you. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 18 - John 14:21

The person who has my commandments and obeys them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will reveal myself to him. -- John 14:21

The direct words of Christ here leave no wriggle room. While Jesus came with grace and truth instead of law like Moses, there are some non-negotiables with him. His commands, love God, love people and make disciples, set forth his priorities. Is love and nurture the law of my heart today? If I will let love be my law, Jesus promises that both the Father and the son will release their love in my live and I will be able to see Jesus more clearly. To conform to this standard, who are the people I need to forgive today? What are the practical ways I can show love, by sacrificing the routine things I am good at, in order to do the things that truly matter to the ones I care about? How can I form connections of mutual growth? Can my circle of love grow again beyond myself?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to love. Truly. Deeply, Meaningfully. Without condition. Without reservation. Honestly. Earnestly. With conviction and purpose. In other words, even as you loved, help me to love. Thank you that love is worth the effort and worth fighting for. Help me to not forget your mission and commands. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 17 - John 14:20

You will know at that time that I am in my Father and you are in me and I am in you. -- John 14:20

Jesus in the Father means that he is reigning and in control, with all authority in his hands. Me in Jesus means that I am hidden in Christ, guarded from the attack of the enemy and also empowered by his authority to rule and to reign. Jesus in me means that it is no longer I that live, no longer I that works, no longer I that speaks. This final statement of surrender is asking of me to let him renovate my inner being (Romans 12:2). Are there any walls of decay left standing from the old self that should be torn down to make way for his new pillars of truth? 

Prayer: Jesus, today I give room to you to tear down the broken things within me. Please fully inhabit every corner of my being and fill me with all your fullness. Help me find confidence as I am hidden in you. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus, reign in me, in my circumstances, and in this world today.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 16 - John 14:19

In a little while the world will not see me any longer, but you will see me; because I live, you will live too. -- John 14:19

It should come as no surprise when the world does not see him. He is no longer in the world. Fortunately for me, he has enabled my eyes to see him, if I would just look. His resurrection is the proof of new life. The regenerated life in me must become more full, but my resurrection by definition first requires that I die. What parts of my old life in the flesh are still resisting this mortification?

Prayer: Jesus, help me to put to death my flesh. Give me the fruit of the spirit, self-control, to overcome my weakness and live in a way that gives you more glory. When I speak to others that do not see you, give me the wisdom and revelation to show how you are at work in their lives.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 15 - John 14:18

I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you. -- John 14:18

There is a great gap between word and practice when it comes to the knowledge that I am never alone. The Holy Spirit was sent so that I would never be alone again, but in moments of darkness do I choose to go down a path of self-pity? It is easy to be deceived by the feeling that I am alone, or that no one understands. The second part of this promise, that he will come, is hope. Jesus will come again to make all things right. Am I ready?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your promise. I declare today, that I will never be alone. Forgive me for my feelings loneliness. I long for you to come more and more in my life. Help me to make sure my lamp has oil when the hour comes. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 14 - John 14:17

the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you. -- John 14:17

The world cannot accept him, because it does not see or know him. This means to recognize him, I need to wait until I see him. Like a sculptor looking at a piece of stone and visualizing the statue inside that no one sees, have I stopped to consider my situation until I see the Spirit of truth. The reality of God at the center of everything at all times. Then I no longer see a blank page, but something like a backwards coloring book with the colors already there just waiting for me to outline the shapes of.  

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to see you today. I want to know you. Reside with me. Be in me. Forgive me for when I have not acknowledged you. Help me see the Spirit of truth that hovers above the surface of the waters of my life, so I can rest in and speak to my storms with authority. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 13 - John 14:16

Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever -- John 14:16

The Παράκλητον (Paraclete), my advocate. What a job description: my intercessor, my comforter, my helper, my defense lawyer. But it's not just what he does on my behalf, it's the confidence of having that presence in my life. Walking together with me. Speaking to me and advising me. Working behind the scenes to help me get just what I need, even when that's a warning, a rebuke or a struggle. But never so hard as to break me, just the thing that will help me grow more into the image of Christ, one day at a time. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence in my life today. Forgive me for when I let other voices drown yours out. Guide me. I'm waiting. I'm listening. Come and counsel me in my every moment today. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 12 - John 14:15

If you love me, you will obey my commandments. -- John 14:15

The question to love him is a trick question. The greater one is, "which commands?" Fortunately he told me, and it is all good news. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Go and make disciples [as a team]. (The verb conjugation is plural.) Even in making disciples, the motivation, method and goal, is all love. It is one thing to know this intellectually, but do my words and actions reflect the love I have been shown?

Prayer: Jesus, forgive me where I have been judgmental, bitter, too tired and too wrapped up in myself to reveal your love to the people around me. Help me strive to see with a bigger heart so I don't judge. Help me to forgive as I have been forgiven. Help me take the effort to make people feel special even when I am tired. Help me turn my eyes outwards to the hurts and needs of others. Perform a miracle of love in me, so that I can do the same to others.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 11 - John 14:13-14

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. -- John 14:13-14

Jesus. イエス. ישוע. 예수. Ιησούς. 耶稣. Jesus... Is he glorified in me? Has my life reflected him in all things? My life must be realigned more into that beautiful name. Do I long know his heart, his character, so that when I call on him it will not be in vain?

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. As I call on you, help me to recognize that means more of you and less of me. As you make me more in your image, forgive me where I have fought against the process. That means, your will must be done, not mine. That Christ in me is the only hope of glory. That you alone are strength and shield. That you are Lord and I am not, and there is no changing that. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

The Church is the Bride of Christ 教会はキリストの花嫁

Ephesians 5:25-32

 

These are some notes from Pastor Yumi’s message this morning.

 1. Jesus loves the Church as a bridegroom loves his bride

Ephesians 5:31-32

This is about relationship. Our relationship is not give and take... The person who does much for each other is not about love. Jesus is asking, has our relationship become merely what we can do for each other?

John 13:6-8

In our marriage, we gradually learn the difficulties of becoming one. In our relationship with Jesus, do we fight to remember to become one. Jesus is the one who sees every part of us. Understands our weakness. He’s our healer and provider. He will not leave us or forsake us. 

John 15:16

2. You are a bride worthy of the bridegroom

Ephesians 5:26-27

Jesus has confessed his love to you and chosen you - what an encouragement... he called us out

You are cleansed and worthy of Jesus - shut the mouth of the accuser

You are nobility because the king comes to welcome you.  — do you live as nobility?

2 Corinthians 11:2

 3. For only one bridegroom 

Don’t let anything come between you and your love of God... work, fame, money, self ... 

Matthew 25:13

Ten brides... Five not allowed in... We should be ready

2 Corinthians 11:2-3

Are we waiting, eager to please Jesus

Isaiah 62:4

Rough outline and message notes by Yumi Hosoe of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 10 - John 14:12

I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. -- John 14:12

Have I engaged in the miraculous recently? To do the deeds Jesus did, the miracle of love? If my actions are simply keeping up to the day to day, I have failed in my higher calling. His greater deeds are not merely works of faith, but also of hope. Of righteousness, peace and joy. May this season of Lent cause me to readjust my priorities along these lines.

Prayer: Jesus, forgive me where I have forgotten your call to higher things. I desire to do greater deeds. Thank you for your promise to do the work if I would simply trust in you. Use my every word, my every moment to do the work of love, hope, faith, righteousness, peace and joy bringing the miracles of these into people around me. Give me serendipitous kairos encounters to be your hands and feet.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 9 - John 14:11

Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves -- John 14:11

Jesus understands my struggle to stay in constant wonder of him, so he offers an out. How deep is the water that I am walking on today? So much of my life built and orchestrated not by natural coincidence or chance, but a masterpiece in progress worthy of the master. He's made ways where there were none, and opened doors no man could shut. And yet, do I start to take enough confidence in the footing to break my gaze with him. The moment I do, what seemed so sure a moment ago gives way to the sinking feeling of wind and waves.

Prayer: Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on you. Thank you for the miracles I experience in and around me every day. Forgive me where I have allowed the wondrous has become plain, the demonstrations of your almighty power to seem mundane. Call me out of this boat to walk with you today.

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Lent 2018 - Red Letters - Day 8 - John 14:10

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds. -- John 14:10

All around me is proof of God's miraculous deeds, yet it is so easy to forget his power. The invisible nature of God requires eyes of faith lest we begin to see all things through natural eyes. The promises that Jesus gave -- of peace, of hope, of love, of healing, of prosperity, of intimacy -- all of it, was not spoken of his own initiative. The Father residing in him did more than just speak, but also performed the miraculous. So as I hope, do I remember these very precious promises, these words of his, will not return to him in vain?

Prayer: Jesus, forgive me for my unbelief. If not in word, but in deed when I try to act to fulfill what you've said you will do in my own strength. Give me patience to know your good, perfect and pleasing will that works all things to my benefit in the perfect season, neither late nor early. I thank you for the model you left of the Father's initiative. Teach me to be more sensitive to these heavenly prerogatives today. 

Red Letters is a devotion for Lent 2018 by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ

Blessed are the pure in heart 心のきよい者は幸いです

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God -- Matthew 5:8

Psalm 24:3-4

1. Four impurities to avoid 避けるべき４つの汚れ

Galatians 5:16-21

a. Sexual 性的
don't be ashamed of desire, advantages to marriage, making something special for someone means cutting out all the others... the word "holy" (聖別)... if you will be married in holy matrimony (神聖な結婚)

b. Spiritual 霊的
horoscopes ... you don’t need to avoid places or drums or graves... in fact when we give spiritual significance to something other than God, we are engaging in idolatry...
God's favor is all over you (John 1:16, Leviticus 26:9-10, Jeremiah 29:11)
do not fear (Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10)
give God all the glory (Isaiah 64:4, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8)

c. Emotional 感情的
Frustration .. story, workplace, home
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of God rule in your minds...
Philippians 4:8
Romans 12:21

God's greatest command to us is to love God and love people... not a choice. This is the law for us.

d. Losing control 自制を失うこと
addictions ... fasting ... youtube ... who is Lord of my life... but avoid vows
James 5:12

Romans 8:13
Kill sin or it will kill you

2. The blood of Jesus washes whiter than the snow イエスの血潮は雪より白く洗い流してくれる
Romans road

I consider myself a ‘good person’… won’t that be enough?
Romans 3:23-24

Is sin really THAT big of a deal? If it is… what HOPE is there?
Romans 6:21, 23

After what I’ve done to grieve God… HOW could He willingly die in my place?
Romans 5:6,8-9

HOW can I be saved?
Romans 10:9-11

Did God HEAR me? Did He accept me?
Romans 10:13

What do I do now?
Romans 10:17

3. Seeing God 神様を見る

Revelation 7:9, 13-17

God wants you to see him

Psalm 51:10
Matthew 5:8

Rough outline and message notes by by Chris Michael Moore of His Call Church - ヒズコールチャーチ