COMPLETE DELIVERENCE. By Pastor Fernando

Scripture:
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Matthew 17:19-21

Observation:
The disciples were frustrated at their inefficiency in healing the boy. They were curious to know why they couldn’t bring complete deliverance to him and asked Jesus about it. The Lord’s response was brutally honest, “because of the littleness of your faith.” Then Jesus was certain to affirm that if we have faith we will be able to do the impossible. And to the issue of faith, Jesus added the need to fast and pray.
The Lord Jesus is able to perform all kinds of miracles, but he also suggests that we can do it too. There is no reason for the enemy to have a hold in our lives and in those around us. Maybe what the Lord is implying in this passage is that the best way to grow our faith is by praying and fasting.

Application:
Prayer combined with fasting is one of the many spiritual disciplines that will help us to increase in our faith. The more we pray and fast, our entire being mind, soul and body becomes less dependent in our own abilities and strength and more dependent in God’s power. It makes sense that we practice these two disciplines in a combined effort if we want to se an increase in our faith. We know it, but we don’t do it often.

We all know that regular exercise combined with a balanced diet will increase our health. Nobody denies those facts. But very few people put them into practice. The same is with fasting and prayer. Nobody denies the fact they are beneficial for our spiritual health but very few practice them in a regular basis. Many of us do not need to be convinced of their value, but motivated to put them into consistent practice. If we want to see our faith increasing and the miraculous happening more often, we must pray and fast.

In my personal life I encounter the same struggles and sinful influence in my life. I tried my best in being completely delivered from the same issues. I get frustrated every time I hit the same wall over and over again. I have asked God why I cannot overcome that situation. I must recognize that I have little faith to see the power of God bringing complete deliverance in my life. And the reason why I have little faith is because my spiritual lifestyle is not enhanced with prayer and fast. I starve my spirit when I do not pray and fast. I must recalibrate my daily, weakly and monthly regimen to make prayer and fast a common practice in my life.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please forgive me for knowing what will increase my faith and for not practicing it. You do not want hearers but doers of the word. Please make me a doer when it comes to prayer and fasting. Do not let me keep going without recalibrating my regimen. Please grant me diligence and passion to seek your face in such a way that my spirit is strengthened by the way I starve the flesh. Help me to love you to the point of sacrificing time and food in order to increase my spiritual faith. I don’t want to keep the enemy possessing what belongs to your kingdom. You alone are my Lord. Help me to bring all the areas in my life under your submission. AMEN!

THE NEXT LEVEL. By Pastor Fernando

Scripture:
And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him... And David realized that the Lord had made him king over Israel and had made his kingdom great for the sake of his people.
2 Samuel 5:10, 15

Observation:
Saul is dead and David wants to conquer the fortified city of Jerusalem. The Jebusites built a magnificent fortress there, ideal to set the headquarters for David’s kingdom and central location to unify the tribes of Israel. David wants it! So he goes after it. The walls of the city are high and strong. The Jebusites are confident that no one can climb the wall and conquer the city. Yet David found a hole in the wall, the water tunnel. This could have been the sewer system of the city. Nobody dared to go though that filthy and smelly tunnel. Only David’s special forces of mighty men were able to handle the tunnel and came in into the city to conquer it. This conquest took David to a whole another level in his leadership. David’s influence increased because God was with Him in all his dealings.

Application:
This morning I find myself doing devotions for the very first time in the fortress of Kahala Mall. This is an strategic place for ministry and we all agree that we are going into a whole another level of service to our community. It took several months to get here. Our patience was tested and our resources were challenged. But by the grace of God, we find ourselves here ready to launch a historical outreach in our community. God will be glorified because He always fights for us. This is not our doing. this is God’s favor over our church.

The great victory over Jerusalem also brings a warning. Once they settled, David’s character was tested and he failed many tests. He married more wives that he could handle and became more comfortable in the midst of the luxury of his brand new palace. He neglected many basics and drifted away from the Lord. That’s why it’s important that we never forget our humble origins and that we remain dependent in God’s favor. We cannot assume that we have it all. We need to rely on him to be able to steward well what He has given us. God gives us all this blessings for the sake of His people. We need to honor Him by trusting more and more in Him, not in our abilities or experience. The resource center is not the end goal for our church. There are another fortresses to be conquered in the years to come. There are many people to be brought closer to God. We cannot put the guard down and get comfortable. We must keep moving forward because the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Lord’s church.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the privilege of having our church’s resource center at Kahala Mall. We don’t deserve your favor, but because of your love, we are worthy of this and much more. Please help us to see holes in our adversity to be able to conquer our opponents. Please keep our hearts humble and dependent in you. Help us to see beyond the four walls of our comfort zone and teach us how to take over other fortresses. Use our church to impact this community with the Gospel. Amen!

KEEPER OF MY HEART... MY MOUTH. By Renee Takahashi

Scripture:
You offspring of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every ‘idle word they speak.
Matt 12:34, 36

Observation:
Verse 36 reminds me to choose words carefully because I will have to account for the thoughtless, non productive things I say. Verse 34 tells me the source of the words. If I want to say encouraging things, words that speak life, then I need to guard my heart of what goes into it. The words I use can tell a person my belief system, my perspective on life, my character.

Application:
The Bible clearly tells us what our mouths are for. It is to speak life not death. Our words are so powerful. It reaches far beyond that moment in time which it was used… it lingers for days, weeks, perhaps even years in the heart of the person spoken to. What kind of action are my words promoting/inspiring in others? Are my words a well of encouragement even through discipline or is it machetti that cuts someone down? And to be constantly choosing words that bring life, I need to really guard my heart. If I have bitterness in there, even if not aimed at that person, it will come up. If I have fear, I will speak words of judgment, envy, worry. If I have disbelief, I will speak words that are faithless. I must be on my toes as the sharpest sentinel of my heart!
How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will ask a few close and trusted people to share with me their observation. People of different relationships with me: my spouse, my children, mentors, mentees, co workers, superiors, etc.

Prayer:
Father God, thank you for the ability to express myself through the spoken word. Please help me to guard my heart to that out of the overflow would be words that glorify you. Please help me to carefully choose words that are appropriate for the situation. Please help me to choose words of life. I ask that you would direct me to those who will give me a clear observation of the words I speak and if it brings life or death. I love you Jesus… I surrender my mouth to you. May it be a humble servant to spread your goodness! In the mighty name of Jesus I pray… amen

ONE TEAM. By Kim Matsukawa

SCRIPTURE:
But all the evil men and troublemakers among David's followers said, "Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go." David replied, "No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike."

OBSERVATION:
The troublemakers who were a part of the 400 didn’t want to share the plunder with those the 200 that stayed back. They suggested that they only get their wives and children back, not anything else. However, David knew that this plunder was not theirs to decide who got what, it was from the Lord. The Lord had given them the means to overtake the Amalekites and make sure that nothing was missing. David saw the 200 as still part of the team, even though all they did was stay back and watch the supplies. He saw them as one team, not divided.

APPLICATION:
In paddling, we are learning a few things like you are only as strong as you’re weakest link. You are only as strong as the person sitting next to you, so if you need to, you have to come down to their level. Everyone is a part of the victory even if you didn’t race because when you practiced together, there were those in the boat that helped to make you stronger. Sometimes I feel like I’m one of the 200, the one that stayed back. The reason is that I feel like I’m the weakest link, that I tire out so quickly, I’m the one who isn’t reaching far enough or twisting enough. My brain then becomes the evil ones of the 400 telling me that I’m not good enough and that I don’t deserve the victory because they were the ones that pulled the boat, not me, the weak one. I am learning that I need to get in better shape for the team so that I don’t become either injured or disappointed in myself for not doing better. I want to be able to be a part of both sides, so when a new person comes in, who hasn’t paddled before, I can give them the encouragement they need to paddle with their not only their strength, however with their heart also.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, forgive me for not having the faith that You have given me to know that I can do all things through You. I pray that every time, all through the race, yet I doubt myself because of the tiredness and soreness. However You are faithful, You bring me through it and even take away the minor aches and pains that day. Through You, I have become successful at my level. I thank you for being beside me through the whole race, just gently pushing me to go further, reach farther, and twist more. I pray that You stick with me through this season of learning and growing. Please be with me as I learn more about You and more about myself with You as my guide. Amen.

YOR YOKE, NOT MINE. By Renne Takahashi

Scripture:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
Matt 11: 28-30

Observation:
Jesus knows that we are broken people. We take on things that are not God led, but flesh led. When we do things to satisfy ourselves, or to prove ourselves or to please others, over a course of time, it becomes a burden. When we are called to do something by God, He equips us for it. Jesus is reminding us that as His followers, we can trust that His ways are good, not harsh or cause for weariness. And He also comforts us by saying that when we become aware that we are off the path, we can exchange the yoke we have put on ourselves, for His.

Application:
Serving God is an overflow of our relationship with Him. I “serve” Him in every area of my life; at home, work, amongst friends. Yet in my brokenness, my motives may get skewed from time to time. I always have to heart check myself. When I am in the Lord’s will, He truly does supply all that I need and things fall in place, even if I am juggling 20 projects at once. If I am not in His will, getting one project done zaps a whole lot of energy from me.
The highlight that I get from this scripture is that Jesus not only wants me to take His yoke, but He wants me to learn of Him. To know who He is. To know His character, so I can rest in him.
How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will spend some time today sitting at His feet asking God to reveal more of Him to me and to reveal His will for me.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for loving me. Thank you for the truths you make so available to me in your word. Please help me to not only read it, but to hide it in my heart and to live by it. I come before you today and ask that you will reveal your will to me. I exchange the load I have put upon myself for your yoke. I receive your rest! Thank you for allowing me to witness the miracles you are doing in my family. May I continue to surrender us all to you. As I was in prayer you directed me back to the scripture and what you highlighted for me was to learn of you. I smile because you are so true dear Jesus… when all is said and done, it’s all about our relationship isn’t it. Thank you Lord. I love you! In your mighty name I ask that you will reveal more of you to me. The more I know you, the more I love you.