Followers

Monday, October 31, 2011

Keep It Up! Don't Quit Now!

Hi everyone! I trust that this blog finds you well and that you are looking to Jesus for your help! In our bible study this week, we were reminded in Romans 14:12 "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." Because God is owner, we are managers or stewards. Everything belongs to God and one day, He will call us to account for our:

Use of Words: Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Use of Spiritual Gifts 1 Peter 4:10 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."

Use of Possessions Luke 16:1-2 "Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer."

In the movie Spiderman, Peter Parker is reminded by his Uncle Ben: "Remember Peter, with great privilege comes great responsibility!" Similarly, we have been privileged to serve the Master of the Universe, our Lord Jesus to represent Him before an unbelieving Hilo. But with this privilege also comes responsibility to be faithful, to walk the talk, to be the bibles that people will read this week and see the love of Jesus. May God help us, His church here at Kinoole, to be faithful to the call! Have a great week!
one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
We are responsible to God to be good managers of our Possessions. (Luke 16:1-2) Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

We Can’t Do This In Our Own Strength! Because when we do, we will fail: Jesus said “Apart from Me You can do nothing.”

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Find Us Faithful

This past Sunday, Gail Inamine shared in her message "Tithing Is Taking a Risk" that in 1977, our church risked hiring her as a second staff person. "At the time" she stated, "in our Hawaii Baptist Convention, there were not many churches that had more than one on staff. Most had just the pastor". But for almost 35 years, she has served our church and our Lord faithfully and we have been especially blessed by her ministry. I believe that God has proven many times over to all who have benefited by her faithful devotion that when we trust God fully, there is really no risk involved, just faith and obedience. In the song "Find Us Faithful" by Jon Mohr, he reminds us of the faith that the Lord demands of every generation. As we approach the 65th anniversary of God planting our church here in Hilo, remembering the host of faithful servants of God that have come before us, it is altogether proper for us to declare our allegiance once again to the One who saved us and placed us here at Kinoole to carry on this legacy:

We're pilgrims on the journey Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness Passed on through godly lives

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover And the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them To the road we each must find

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

God bless you this week as you enjoy the devotional lessons of "A Study in Biblical Stewardship: Generosity"! See you this Sunday! Pastor Daniel

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Call to Prayer

Hi everyone! Just enjoyed praying this morning in a Prayer Gathering for Possess the Land: Room to Dream capital stewardship campaign. One of our members shared an interesting conversation he had with a man who has created over 100 Japanese gardens here in Hilo. This passion to leave behind "Living Treasures" reminds me of what God desires of us in 1 Peter 2:9-10: "But yo are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." The Apostle Paul gives a similar appeal in his second letter to the Corinthian church(2 Cor.2:14-15) "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who being saved and those who are perishing." In his letter to the Ephesians(Eph 2:10), he writes: "For we are God's workmanship(His masterpieces still in progress) created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are leaving behind a legacy of faith for those who come after us. At our Commitment Service on November 20, 2011 we will celebrate our 65th anniversary. It was mentioned today that some of us may not be here to celebrate our 75th, 85th or 100th year anniversary. But God is calling on us to leave a foundation of dependence on God to provide the resources for the purchase of the property NOW and the building of buildings LATER. I am so glad to be a part of a church who believes God! Enjoy the week of prayer! Pastor Daniel

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Trust God! Trust His people!

"But the man who makes Me his refuge will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain. And it will be said: "Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of My people." For this is what the high and lofty One says--He who lives forever, whose name is Holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite . . . I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in (Hilo) Israel. Peace, peace to those far and near," says the Lord. " And I will heal them." Isaiah 57:13-19 For most of us living here in America, we have been taught at birth to depend on self, "if I don't get it done, it won't get done!" kind of attitude. Self-sufficiency often becomes the obstacle to which God can work His miracles and use our lives to bring Him glory and honor. This is a great time for us here at Kinoole where God promises that when we make Him our refuge that we will inherit the land and experience the promise He made in Joshua 1: "I will give you every place where you set your foot. . . No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." May God bless us as we depend on Him in our Possess the Land: Room to Dream Capital Stewardship Campaign. Don't miss out on what could be an incredible journey of faith for us all! I choose to believe God! Won't you? Pastor Daniel