Daily Devotions

Mentors who are worth learning from and following in the footsteps of

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 23:16:00 +0000

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."

- Hebrews 13:7 (New Living Translation)

Mentor's and leaders that I look up to who have influenced, and continue to influence, my life up till this day are:

- Pastor Wayne Cordeiro of New Hope Oahu

- Pastor Mike Kai of Hope Chapel West Oahu

- Author Phillip Yancey

- Communicator John C. Maxwell

- Missionary and Evangelist Brother Yun

These are also followers of Christ who have endured, asked and faced the hard questions, suffered, but whose lives have produced fruit and continue to be perfected by the master craftsman.

Now I may not be able to physically spend time with the "courageous 5", whom I look up to, but I know that I can learn from them by reading their books, listening to the sermons and speeches, and taking from their lives lessons learned, living now as they do.

Looking at myself now, I know and feel so far from the attainments and integrity of these mentors that I want to be like, even more so because I have allowed myself to live in a way that is not pleasing to God for so long. So I have this festering virus that I have to allow God to heal in my life. How do I become a person even remotely close to the heart, love, and integrity of these men?

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead," (Philippians 3:13 NLT)

Despite my past feeling like such a hindrance in moving forward, I know I must build myself up through God's word, just as the Apostle Paul did so many years ago. By the grace of God, he absorbs our past - as far as God is concerned, though consequences of our past may still be things that we will still have to humbly go through and press into God as well.

One thing that stands out about all of these men, one common denominator, though they all have many good characteristics and habits, is their love, obedience, and their devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.

My heart goes out to the families affected by the horrendous shooting that killed 6 people at the Sikh Temple in Winsconsin by Wade Michael Page. I was thinking to myself, if this man, who is reportedly a neo-nazi and has links to white supremacist groups, can be moved to action of such hate and violence by filling his life with the very action he put out. Then perhaps the opposite can be done for me, for others, who choose to allow God's Word to fill them up with encouragement and love, and for a future and a hope.

What my mentor's and the shooter of the Sikh Temple filled themselves up with, that's what has become of their lives as a result of those choices. For Pastor's Wayne Cordeiro and Mike Kai, for Author's and Leader's Phillip Yancey, John C. Maxwell, and Brother Yun (Liu Zhenying), their lives have been and are ones of close fellowship with God, of leadership and responsibility, and of growth. Unfortunately for the lives of those taken senselessly by Wade Michael Page, he allowed himself to fill himself up with hate, anger, and thinking himself better than other races that he ended the lives of 6 Sikh worshipers before his life ended.

What you choose to fill your life with, you will become and produce. I desire to walk in the footsteps of my mentor's who follow Christ, to be filled with "...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

What fills your life, your time, and your thoughts? That's who you will become tomorrow.

Am I close enough to hear God?

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 07:33:00 +0000

Am I close enough to hear God?

^”The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.”

- 2 Chronicles 33:10

Manasseh, King Manasseh, was leading the people of God to sin. He had them build and sacrifice on the alters of other god’s, even sacrificing his son on them. God’s anger was rising, and through the prophets, he spoke of events that would soon come that would eventually lead to Manasseh being taken as a prisoner.

But before the Assyrian army came, God once again spoke to King Manasseh and his people. ..”but they paid no attention,” the bible says. God was reaching out for their hearts, for their attention, so that they could repent, be made right in His sight – reconciled, and call out to the Lord.

It’s easy for me to point and say, “Yeah…duh?! He deserved what he got, they got!” But it’s always easy to point and say what was right and what was wrong in retrospect. What’s difficult is turning what should have been an easy given answer and response, on their part, and turning that onto myself. And that would be, “Is God speaking to me, to my fiancé? And if He is, am I paying attention?” Am I positioned to hear God? Or am I like Manasseh, stuck in my ways, stuck in sin and being swept by the currents of my own desires and selfishness, that I cannot hear…that I am paying no attention to the God who is trying to get my attention before I am swept away by the consequences of my sin.

I’m not perfect, and as most people say, “No one is.” But that is not an excuse for me to be ignorant, lazy, or both in being receptive to God’s love. Because that was what God was trying to do with Manasseh and his people. He was trying to love them. Yes, God was angry at their sins, but I believe that he was even angrier knowing what would befall him and the Israelites if they did not turn to God, did not hear His warnings and change their ways.

The best thing for me to do is to daily come before the Lord and pay attention. To leave my heart and mind open to Him, that he can prune, change, and grow me from the inside out, before trouble comes (because times of trouble will always come). The question is whether I have my rock, a solid foundation and place of refuge to go when such times do come. The more frequent my “check-ups” are with God, the healthier, the closer my heart will be to the Lord.

Ask yourself:

Are my thoughts going astray? Are the things on my mind pleasing to God, or are they displeasing? Do they make me want to be closer to God, or shame me and want to hide?

Ask yourself these things, and be honest with yourself, be honest with God. Speak with Him and allow Him to make the necessary corrections and heart adjustments so that we may be close and I am positioned to receive not just his love and blessings, but his strength and protection through troubled times.

Be close to God.

May Love give Love, create Love, and give Again

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:26:00 +0000

May Love give Love, create Love, and give Again

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

- Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

As a friend, a son, a fiancé, and co-worker, I must not separate who I am, what I believe, or my relationship with Christ, from what I speak or do when around others. Just as I should be a voice of wisdom to potential believers, by Christ, even more should I be a voice of encouragement and love to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to do good, to share our faith and belief – to live out my faith in action, whether seen or unseen – so that we are following the instructions of Christ (being the good Samaritan, being the salt and the light, and making disciples to share their relationship with the living and loving God).

How hard this is when my flesh gets in the way with my own personal emotions and resentment, or frustration with others. But how much more important it is for me in those times to pray for myself to dissipate and Christ, the Holy Spirit, to be the choice lived (for he is the way the truth and the life). Like choosing what channel is showing through the tube, I must choose to allow Christ to come through what is seen. Not being fake, not saying that I’m not going to deal with what emotions might have initially stopped me from doing it God’s way, but choosing to love versus choosing to let my emotions that does not honor God aside for God to deal with, for us to relinquish together, or however it is done. The point is the choice made, for it’s the choice that matters more that the emotions that were felt upon making the choice.

Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. This is what should matter beyond all else, and Christ is what I must train my body, emotions and all, to point others towards. This is why we must encourage each other, because it is difficult to do alone. Where a single cord my break under pressure, three braided together would be able to persevere and stand the strain of whatever pressure may come. Whether we see the Day Christ comes back while we breathe, or while we rest in the earth, we should encourage each other, we need to encourage each other. Because our time on this earth is surely short, and God knows this, it is short for both believers and potential brothers and sisters alike. We do not know when a close friend, a co-worker, or family member will have their time cut short. But as you realize and understand the shortness of the time we each have here, be sure to relay this urgency to your actions so that no one is left in the dark concerning Christ.

Confess Christ to others, do it in a way that is easy for others to understand, do it creatively, do it with honesty and integrity, but like Nike's (tm) infamous quote says, “ Just do it.”

I must encourage myself, and my fellow worshipers to be a light, to be creative in sharing Christ, and using our hands and minds to do more than speak with words who Christ is, but show in love and deeds. Whether by volunteering, being and example in your house, learning to truly forgive another, building houses for others, giving to the poor, adopting a child, loving truly your own family, or wherever you may fit this into your life. Wherever, however, with the love of and encouragement of Christ, let it be done.

An Un-Turning Love

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:38:00 +0000

“The LORD said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.’”

- Hosea 3:1 (NIV)

You just got married and not long after your husband cheats on you, your wife commits adultery. How do you feel? What would you do? Hosea’s wife did just that to him, treated him like nothing, braking her vow and promise to him. Instead of reacting in ballistic violence of revenge and what she and the other person involved deserves, Hosea calls out to her in love, taking her back despite the fact that she left him for another man. His actions, as God had said to him to do, represented and mirrored His love for the Israelites who had turned away from Him to lifeless idols.

God loves us. Even though we may ignore him, push him away, tell him he doesn’t exist, and do opposite of what we hear he says, God still loves us. Even in the days before the new covenant, days written in the Old Testament, when the Jews were required to bring sacrifices, God loved his people fiercely. And he still does today, just as God will forever.

Unfortunately we do not have forever and a day to come to this understanding, to live until we realize or see the truth. No, we live in a world where our time is short, some shorter than others – often cut short by another’s faults, disease, or freak accidents. Even a fully lived out life is short, for today you may be young but tomorrow you will be old. And no one is promised tomorrow, and one day, before you know it, life has passed by and each breath draws you closer to your last.

This is why God is so passionate for us to know him, why his love for us overcomes him and leaves us often with mercy undeserved (the same reason why God sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us). He knows that life is short for us, but he has made an eternal one for us; He knows that “life” here is unfair, but he is fair to us and loves us even though we have all turned our backs to him at one point or another.

I think of God’s love for us like this:

When I am married I will love my wife with all that I have, and I dream of a life lived with her in full, but that does not mean we will. Death will come one day or another, whether tomorrow or when we are old with grandkids. And I think about it, how unfair death really is, to not just cease to exist, but to be apart from someone you love with all of your heart, your entire being. This to me is truly unfair, and this, above all else, is what makes life truly unfair to me.

This is I believe how God feels about us. We were made in his image, are his creation, and are considered to be his sons and daughters. God recognizes death to be unfair, and his love when we embrace back can carry us through death into a new life, reunited with God…and with my wife. So when that day comes, I know now, that this separation will be but momentary compared to the eternal life God has for us.

Even now it is not something I completely grasp, but there are a lot of things I do not understand completely. And just because I don’t completely understand does not keep me from believing and trying (If it did, I probably wouldn’t drive, use a cell phone, let someone else do surgery on me, or get on a plane…’Great America’ would have definitely of been a No, No too).

God loves you just as much as he loves me. We don't always see it, especially if what stands out and what we see is the evil and unfairness of this world and blame God for the bad things that happens in this life. It's so easy to skip over the good, the gift of life, the complexity of micro-organisms that allows our bodies to function, the vastness of our universe that created this small planet to exist and make the perfect atmosphere for life, getting married, having your first child, and watching your child grow.

Remember, life is unfair to us all, the good and the bad, believers and unbelievers alike, the difference is recognizing and choosing to allow the creator of this universe to stand with you and help you through it all.

Walking With Integrity

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:44:00 +0000

Walking with Integrity

“9 People with integrity walk safely,
but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.”
- Proverbs 10:9

Integrity has been simply defined to me as “what you do when no one is looking.” In Merriam’s Dictionary, you will see it defined as adhering to a strict code of moral or artistic values, as to be incorruptible. You can be integrous to different ideas, beliefs, and morals. But the integrity that is portrayed here is an integrity that follows God.

How am I walking a path of integrity with what I know and believe in God? Or at the least how should it look, so that I know when I am not and am susceptible to “slip and fall?” It looks like spending time with God everyday through doing devotions, focusing and using my time wisely for the things that God has called me to grow (whether new skills acquired, old ones tuned, school, growing right relationships, or anything else God puts on my heart). When I listen to God, I am under his protection and from here I know that I can move safely and effectively. But when I start to do my own things, not listening to what I know I should do, breaking focus to try to bring my own sense of fulfillment into my life, and go on to sinning, eventually it is inevitable that I will find myself in trouble and flat on my face.

To walk with integrity is to walk with God, and with that said, the opposite is true as well: to walk without God is to walk a selfish path – one that leads to danger and harm. I must be a person who walks with God, to use the time I have wisely and do and focus on what God asked and asks me to do. There is no way around this truth, because we are either for God or against Him. I choose integrity; I choose to walk with my God.

Father God, please help me to be focused, to walk with integrity in this world that has so many distractions and worries. I know that I lack in many areas and I need your help to make it through this life not by the skin of my teeth, but in victory and success. I want to be close to you, I want to be a man of God that has the maturity to be a good father and a good husband. Please help me to move to the next stepping stones, so that I may be these things, able to provide more than just for myself but for a family, and perhaps even for a congregation. You already know this, but I care ... May your will be done, and may my heart follow it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Let God Penetrate Deep Into Your Heart

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:19:00 +0000

"My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body."

- Proverbs 4:21-22

I know that this is King Solomon who wrote these proverbs, but it feels as if God is speaking to me. Telling me to focus on what he has taught me, keeping to it and remembering them to the point that it has taken root in my heart. Because God's words when followed brings about a life that is truly alive - vibrant and dynamic, moving with the power and force of God with inspiring awe and edifying truth. Nothing, no feeling, or adrenaline rush, can compare to a life that lives for Him who created the heavens and the earth. It certainly does not happen in a night, but a life built on such truth and understanding of God's word will bring a life that overflows with God's grace and love not only in their own heart, but to those around such a person too.

I'm not perfect, or anywhere near such a state of being. But I once was close to God...I would pray with friends and see results and hear results that could only have been God. I have not been that close for several years now, and there are multiple reasons for that, but in the end they're all just excuses - part of it anger, and the other is mistrust. But I do remember and want that closeness and relationship back, but it will come with the cost of changes in my life, comforts that I must let go of, and the choice to stand in loving firmness, not bending to others wills.

Father God, I ask that my heart would hold to your words of wisdom and life. More than just the life with breathing, eating, and sleeping (as we all do). But a life with meaning and purpose far beyond that of our families and friends, but a life that has the power to be part of transforming lives and seeing even the miraculous. Thank you for your wisdom, for correcting my mistakes and helping me to see what I need to change. I just need the strength to hold to the changes and allow your spirit to guide me as it did before. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

The smallest things can affect our relationship with God

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:46:00 +0000

"That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."

- Joshua 7:12

The Israelites took and held on to things, objects, and representations that defiled their relationship with God.

These objects and representations took away and hurt the Israelites relationship with God because 1. God said not to take the objects, and 2. It showed for whatever reason they grabbed it, whether for financial or superstitious, meant that in someway or another they did not trust God. When we decide not to trust God, when we do what were not supposed to do, we affect or belief in God (and this translates to our faith in him, consequently affecting what we allow him to do in our lives).

Obedience to God is key, so we must be willing to ask God what is in our lives that he doesn't want there. Whether it's some type of thing, object, or representation. As God said, "I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction." Ask God what is interfering with your relationship with him (is it porn, drugs, a person perhaps, your job, another belief, a type of music, poster, or picture). Don't allow your relationship with God to be hindered or weakened in anyway.

Don't allow yourself to think that we can get away with this little thing, or that it's so small that God won't care, because he does. Look what happened to the Israelites. They went to conquer their enemies but lost. Even the littlest sin is still a sin. However, God is forgiving, just read on the same passage to see what happens next.

So let's be obedient to God. We have nothing of true value to lose and everything that is good to gain. It starts with trust and obedience. Remember, most of God's promises requires our obedience first. Truly live, and let the one and only true God be by your side this life and the next.

"Storm" by Lifehouse

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:18:00 +0000

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
water's getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I'd see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

I know you didn't
bring me out here to drown
so why am I 10 feet under and upside down
barely surviving has become my purpose
cause I'm so used to living underneath the surface

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright

and I will walk on water
you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
I know everything is alright
everything's alright

- Father God, my life is going through a storm, but I know that you have a purpose and plan for me. Please let me see you, a glimpse that you are still there. I know that you are, but loneliness at times takes its toll and I must admit that doubt begins to set in. I cling to your word, your truth, and the promise of life anew, but the pain hits straight at the heart and my eyes lose focus. I become dizzy and begin to feel lifeless. But through it all I will hold on, because of your hope and truth you have long ago set in my broken heart. You are God and I am not. Please have your way with me.

Do not let go of what God gives

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:56:00 +0000

" So day after day she nagged him until he couldn't stand it any longer. Finally, Samson told her his secret. 'My hair has never been cut,' he confessed, 'for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else."

- Judges 16:16-17

I do not know why Samson was obsessed with the Philistines o much that he would put up with Delilahs obvious nagging attempts to find out the secret of his strength. I'm sure Samson knew that she couldn't be trusted, since she was trying so hard to unveil the secret that would ultimately destroy him (if he were to give it up).

Delilah asked, and asked, and nagged, and complained so much that he go tired of it and just gave in to her stubborn evil consistency. Now Samson didn't sin in telling her. It was worse, because ultimately the Lord, who gave him his special strength, left him. And this could have all been avoided if he had just left Delilah who was constantly nagging him, 'tempting' him really, to give up something precious...

Not everything we desire is good for us. Samson desired to be with Delilah, but she did not desire him, but only the money she would receive from the Philistines if she would find out and reveal Samson's secret - his weakness. Sadly Samson had to of seen this, but continued to be with her, and probably thought that he was strong enough to handle her constant and persistent barrage of attempts to get, to take, what precious gift God had bestowed on Samson. I'm not sure what Samson was thinking, but he just stayed around until one day he finally gave in to her constant nagging...this led to him being captured, having his eyes gorged out, and then becoming a prisoner to the Philistines.

Reading this I know that I must be wise in how I deal with what precious things and people God places in my life and that I must not be foolish to 'gamble' with them in anyway. If a person tempts me to do otherwise with what is precious, then I must reprimand that person. If they persist and nag for me to give up what God has given me, I need to leave and not allow that person, people, or evil one to wear me down. What God gives us is too important, and letting it go could cost us everything - your future, family, friends, and even our precious gift of salvation.

Choose: “One day” or “Today”

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:44:00 +0000

Ever since I graduated High School I knew that I wanted to go abroad and make a difference. Not a difference as if the culture and its society were somehow lesser than my own, but a difference in life. To encourage a higher quality of life (not a higher quantity).

It started with my first missions trip to Japan. I fell in love with the people, the food, but most of all for those who wondered aimlessly, going about their lives seeking something to give it true meaning and a wholeness that can be found no where else but with a loving God. I loved Japan so much that I went back on two other mission trips over the following two years. And most recently a fourth time, where I was able to live there for six months teaching English to the Japanese and volunteering at a church where a friend of mine was the head pastor.

After these many times of going, I felt my heart being led to become a pastor and missionary to Japan. So I began to go to school. I went for a bit, but have always had a hard time focusing. Its so hard for me to focus on something that just does not interest me at all (math, science, remembering formal patterns and words for the Japanese language just was not the most appealing subjects to learn for me).

So my dream of becoming what I most desire fades further away from me, because of my lack of focus and determination. Now…sadly it has been 8 years since my heart had become attached to the place and the people that I still love till today. I have moved away from home and family, and the closest of friends to a place that is “foreign” to me.

Am I making it? If scraping by is making it then, no I am not making it. Moving here has put me in debt, hurt me financially, and away from the support of those who know me best. But then I began thinking to myself as I sat on my porcelain throne this evening, “If I can’t make it here as a Christian, where there are much of them around me, how in the world will I make it in Japan?”

My revelation? I won’t. Here I am worried about my future, planning future changes, and my life five years from now, but not even doing anything in the present that will be the building blocks for that future. What the hell was I thinking? I wasn’t. To be honest, I just thought things would somehow just work out, that one day I’d be so motivated to do what needs to be done. But that was just the problem, I was always waiting on the one dang day to happen, that I left myself in limbo waiting for the “one day” to just appear, or somehow be mystically written on my calendar so I knew that THAT was the day. So blind was I that I might have well of been waiting for a text message from God saying today is the day your focus and determination will come to make the changes that need to be made.

I hate to say it, but I was such a fool. And really it was not that I didn’t know, but more that it was at the back of my mind. Kind of like that book you bought but never got around to reading. You see it on the shelf and remind yourself that you’re going to read it, but never do.

So I have begun to make changes in my life today. Choices that will lead me in the right direction, but they are also choices that will have to be followed daily. Not something I can choose now and will last me till I make it to where I am headed. This is needed if you are to change old habits and old ways, that you will have to replace them with new ones and be conscious of them as you live from day to day.

Also, I know that there are choices I need to make if I want that special someone in my life, someone I have taken for granted, hurt in the past, and who has been around for me more than I have deserved. If she will still have me, these changes are partly for her, but if chooses not, then these are changes I will make because I know that they are what God wants, and I have to trust him with my future while plotting and moving along in the direction he points me in.

And if for some reason you are unsure of changes that need to be made in your life, the most surefire way to know is to seek God and read his word. The Holy Spirit will talk to you and tug at your heart, God does speak to us today as he spoke to his people for thousands of years, but it is up to us to listen and obey.

Learn from my years of waiting and mistakes, don’t think that “one day” I’ll do it, or that “one day” I’ll make that change. That magical “one day” may never come, and it may in fact start multiplying into two days, two weeks, two months, two years, and the next thing you know an entire decade goes by and your still no where closer to your dream, to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Be wise and go with the tougher decision to make “one day” to “today”. “Today” I will make a change to build upon the life that God has given me.

When it seems God is missing

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:21:00 +0000

When it seems God is missing
08.13.08

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it
an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your
faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will
be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
- James 1:2-4

Earlier this evening, as I was thinking about my current life status – no, not the single, or “in a relationship” status; I could not help but wonder where God is in the events that surround my life at the moment. I thought to myself “where is God?” I know that he’s here, I know that his word says that he loves me and that he has a good plan for my life, but there is this undeniable absence that has been troubling me greatly.

Relentlessly pursuing God through doing my devotions, God has been leading me, guiding me through questions and answers, and, in a way, keeping me reaching after him. Even though frustrating defiant feelings of abandonment sweep through my heart, filling my thoughts with anger and certain disappointment, I calm myself. I lay down and I begin to pray. A book of my favorite author slapped across my face, dimming the light of the lamp above me, I speak out to God in my head – most of which is silence followed by subtle sighs.

As the silence between us grows, I decided to open the book and begin to read the first chapter. I’ve read it at least four times by now, but I read it again. “Listen” it says, and goes on speaking about learning the first lesson of success, using Martha and Mary from the book of Luke as it’s opening and primary example. Unadmittingly, I was looking to just get through the chapter and move on to play “Army of Two.” But since I was already reading it, I decided to slow down and attempt to take in what was being taught through its message.

It’s a good thing that I did, because God began to speak to me through Pastor Wayne Cordeiro’s book – The Seven Rules of Success. He quotes an excerpt from John Ortberg’s book titled Love Beyond Reason:

“An unweaned child is a noisy child. The unweaned child has learned that eventually noise leads to the satisfying of his desires. And even if it doesn’t right away, the noise itself seems to bring him some type of relief. At least it makes others as miserable.
The weaned child, on the other hand, has learned that the presence of his mother is more than just gaining immediate gratification. This child has become capable of stillness and can have a whole new communication with his mother because now the mother is more than simply someone who exists to satisfy his needs or take away his hunger...Weaning means learning to live in stillness with unfulfilled desires for a while, but it is a mark of maturity, isn't it?”

A chord in my heart is struck, this is the answer; God has answered me. To be honest, the feelings of abandonment, and months of unanswered prayers I’ve been enduring, sure does not feel good. Moments of panic and disheartenment are not something that I treasure or look forward to, especially when this is “real-life.” But God is God, who can tell him what to do and be more right, or more loving in their answer or motive, than God?

You can be sure that I’ve complained more than once to God, said things that I won’t repeat here, and even tried to “pick a fight” with God. I’m not perfect, and believe it or not, frustration is frustrating. But I did not stop seeking after God, nor did I stop praying. I’ve learned to seek God with more intensity, and even worship God when so much stress and painful events surround me. It is hard to sing “You alone are God, I am yours and you are mine, and I know the heavens will call out your name if I don’t,” when you don’t even know where God is. There was, and still is, difficulty giving God praise and thanking him when there are “big pieces” of the puzzle to my life missing.

Then I remembered that God has already paid the price for my mistakes by coming down in human form, allowed his son Jesus to die in my place; I do have much to be thankful for, God has given me much already.

Is it right for God to wean us like he does at times?

I remember when I used to take swimming lessons when I first began to learn. The swimming instructor would back away a foot or two and then call out for me to swim to him. Trusting him, I would swim, and he would then help me back to the wall. This continued till I was proficient at that distance. One day, seeing him back out to the same distance, he called out to me to swim towards him again. Thinking, “I got this,” I begin to swim. One foot...two feet, no instructor, where did the bugga go? I look up, he’s right there. “I guess he slipped a little,” I thought, and got back to swimming. Another foot goes by – one foot is plenty for a small Filipino/ Hawaiian boy, so no laugh! – And I look up again, “What’s going on? My arms are getting tired!”

This time I don’t put my head down and begin to give the instructor “stink-eye” mixed with a look of panic, which should be sign to him that says “move again and I’m going to whack you.” By now I’m not really swimming anymore. I’m partly yelling, partly drowning, and am doing my new move the “claw-stroke” – where I’m going to try to claw your eyes out if I don’t drown first.

What seemed like forever, the instructor came and brought me back to safety. Just like a child being weaned to be more mature, my instructor was trying to get me to become more mature in my swimming. God does the same for us. Not to hurt us, or to cause pain, but so that we would mature in our faith and draw closer to him.

This past Sunday my pastor, Pastor Jim, asked a question that made me think. He asked, “Why do you think that the persecuted church grows, where as others don’t?” He did not give an answer, but I have one. It is because they have to rely on God more. Their maturity, faith, and beliefs are stretched, pruned, and are optimized to see the miraculous. Here, where there is virtually no persecution, and where everything you need is in a grocery store, we don’t rely on God as much. Yes, the miraculous does happen here and yes the church does grow here, but the difference between the persecuted church and the non-persecuted church are significant.

When we learn to rely on God more, when we seek him with all of our hearts for his will to be done, then it will be easier for God to move and we will see more of “God’s will being done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Seek God through every season,

Ikaika Mossman

Listening

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:39:00 +0000

Listening
08.10.08

“Listen, all the earth!
I will bring disaster on my people.
It is the fruit of their own schemes,
because they refuse to listen to me.
They have rejected my word.”
- Jeremiah 6:19

When we were young, our parents would always tell us to look both ways before crossing a street. There are those of us who have listened, and there are those of us who haven’t listened. Now our listening can become conditional, which is why we’ve gotten many constant reminders growing up. At the intermediate school I attended there was a boy who left home that day one reminder short. After school was over, walking towards the bus stop across the street, he was hit by a car. Luckily he only had a few broken bones, but perhaps if had listened to his parents, the entire situation could have been avoided.

Personally, being hit by a car has not been written on my list of “Oh Wows!” At least not yet it hasn’t. However, there have been other mishaps that, if I had only but listened, would have saved me from both physical and emotional pain. Listening is most certainly an acquired skill, it takes effort, and for some, a certain amount of skill. Jeremiah, a prophet for God, continually warned the Israelites of the destruction and agony that was going to hit their nation. They didn’t listen and only got angry with Jeremiah. Sadly enough, the reason why God was angry towards the Israelites was because they didn’t listen to Him; they followed their own cravings and ideas. God warned them to change their ways, they didn’t listen, and here God is warning them again that disaster will strike, once more they didn’t listen.

Stubborn hearts and stubborn minds got this nation in its bind (lol...it rhymes). When we become stubborn and choose not to listen, whether to our parents, the government, or most importantly God, we put ourselves at risk – of getting into trouble with the law, with the landlord, and with God. Now I enjoy certain risks of smaller magnitudes, like certain investments, racing a car on a track, or even asking the cute girl next door on a date. However, getting in trouble with the law, or worse yet, getting into trouble with God, to me, does not sound like a well thought out plan.

We all need our listening skills to improve and jump the next “leap and bound” to the next level. It will require wise decisions, focus, and being conscientious of what we are doing and saying. It also requires knowledge and being close to the Holy Spirit if we are to be like Jesus – who did all that God asked him to do. For this I strongly recommend reading God’s word daily for the purpose of knowing what God asks us to do. And just as Jesus was constantly praying to God, for His will to be done, as followers of Christ, it too would be wise to keep in constant consistent communication with the God who loves us and gives us purpose.

It is my prayer that both you and I, will be motivated to listen well, being obedient. For if we do, the time we save ourselves from hospital visits, and the agonies of backsliding will tremendously shrink. We will grow closer to God and in turn will allow ourselves to be used by God more frequently – our purpose.

Seek God with all of your heart,

Ikaika Mossman

A Hard Humbling Lesson

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:47:00 +0000

A Hard Humbling Lesson
08.06 - 07.2008

17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.

- Habakkuk 3:17-19

I’m no farmer that has fields of fig trees, grape vines, or olive crops that has gone barren and empty. Nor do I have empty pens of cattle and empty stalls of sheep. But I do know what it’s like to have much taken away, to have an empty fridge, and to have lost people I loved – to both death and unwise decisions. Even more so, I know what it’s like to be without a job and to have no family, or old friends, around to comfort and pick me up when I am down, out, and depressed.

I have lived on both sides of this spectrum, having before had so much to having so very, very little.

"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. (Luke 19:26)

I used to think to myself, what the heck does that mean, “for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.” How do you take away something from nothing, right? Being Humbled by God like this, I finally understand. I had everything I needed – friends, church, money, cars, a wonderful girlfriend – all right there for me. God even blessed me with leadership, allowing me to lead a men’s devotional group, as well as a mini-church. I saw prayers answered like I never seen before. This was me, being given more by God.

Then came the last two years of my life, where I gradually fell into drinking excessively; where I acquired alcoholism – stage 4 (if you’ve been to an alcohol class, like I have, then you would understand). I tried to kill all the pain in my life with alcohol, but it only made things worse. I began to blackout, have uncontrollable fits of anger, and depression. During this period I started cutting and burning myself with knives, lighters and cigarettes when I was drinking, and when I wasn’t. This terror in my life devoured me, my relationship with friends, the love of my life, my relationship with God, church, and work.

If you were to tell me, years before, that this would happen, I would have never of believed it.

Through this season and up until this very day, God began to take things away from me. My leadership, friendships, jobs, integrity, and even family were now significantly gone. My decisions lead to these things, and God allowed these things to be taken away so that I would be humbled and once again turn back to who should have remained the foundation of my life – Jesus Christ.

I was left with nothing, and what God took away from nothing was the God sent gifts, talents, responsibilities, and even answered prayers.

Now here I am in my own dark world, cut off from everything and everyone I had known. But instead of getting angry and furthering myself from God, I turn to him once again. I seek him more diligently then before, I slowly change my ways as God gives me strength. Even being jobless, not having very much, I give God praise as Habakkuk once did. My actions are not because God is being favorable to me, but because he deserves my worship to him, because my hope is in Him who both gives and takes away.

From having much, to having little, I will give God praise. Whether I get a job, and through whatever hardships come my way, as hard and as hurting as it feels and seems, I will continue to believe, trust, and worship my maker.

A hard humbling lesson indeed...

Living day to day, give God praise,

Ikaika Mossman

Source of Life

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:40:00 +0000

Source of Life
08.05.08

“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
- John 7:37-38

Jesus, even though he was speaking to the Jews, is calling out to “Anyone” who desires true life, a life with purpose, meaning, and pure joy. Are you thirsty for more than what you already have, or don’t have? Not physical possessions, the luxuries in life, or anything else but what your life was made for, this is what Jesus was talking about. Are you thirsty? Does routine and the ever seemingly mundane, or even exciting and wild life, you live feel empty – like your missing something vital? When you hit your “means to an end” in the many activities and side adventures of this life, what’s next?

If you are thirsty for life, true life, with a purpose that will quench and dissolve that feeling of emptiness, then Jesus promises that if you come to him and drink, you will have true life. Be sure to take him in, accept him as your savior for your sins, because he sacrificed himself for all of us. Some people will come, but as quickly as they come, they will go. Others will come and drink, be satisfied for a little while, but then leave him, forgetting where the source of pure life comes from. But still others will come, drink and be satisfied, then in turn be an extension of that living water from Jesus to others who are thirsty.

This is similar to the parable of the seeds, or the story of the olive tree and the branches – that we have been grafted to the source of life. Jesus was telling them, and he tells us today through his word, through the Holy Spirit, and through others, that we need a source of life. Just like the branches attached to the olive tree; as long as we stay attached, God will prune us and enable us to produce fruit – life to others.

Don’t wait to the end to realize this, come to Jesus and have life abundantly! Even if you don’t completely understand now, when you see what God will do in your life and in the lives of those that you share this living water with, you will.

Come to Jesus, receive life and purpose, and share this life with those around you – let “rivers of living water...flow from your heart” from the source – Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the source of life.

Drink well,

Ikaika Mossman

Never Rejecting

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:47:00 +0000

Never Rejecting

08.04.08

”However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. 38 For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. 39 And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

- John 6:37-40

I believe that being humans, we have a natural tendency to fall away from God, do our own thing, and flow to the beat of the crowd. It is for this reason that God required the kings of Israel to study his law everyday, that they would consistently be refreshing their minds and souls to be aligned with his will, not their own. The whole reasoning behind this is because God knows better than us, and will never lead us astray.

But as many followers of Christ know, we all fall short from time to time; there are even times when we forget to come back to our first love. Even so, there is still hope, there is good news that Christ will never reject any of us from coming to him when we go back. He loves us and desires for our salvation, our success, and our lives to be lived to the fullest of our potential. He made each and everyone of us, there would be no you without him, and with each life comes a plan that extracts our abilities, talents, and even pure longings.

God does not want any of us to ever feel rejected by him, but desires to be the foundation of each and every one of our lives. Listen, “And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up...” This is God’s will, that we would all be a part of God’s family – O’hana.

When these times happen, when we fall away from God because of bad choices, or because of the distance we have allowed to grow between us, God is searching for us. If he came for us through his son Jesus Christ to save us from the affects of sin, then certainly he will continue to search for us now, presently, during times when we fall.

It is my hope that we will take a pro-active stance on this and seek after God daily, speak with him and pray that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven (just as our example Jesus did).

Before We Even Ask

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:35:00 +0000

Before We Even Ask

08.02.08

“I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”
- Isaiah 65:24

God’s love and care for his people is greater than we know, I believe. His patience and mercy is beyond compare, that he would answer and meet the needs of those who choose to follow after him. It’s hard to understand or even believe that God will answer our prayers and meet our needs when there is so much pain, poverty, and senselessness in this world we live in. I could easily say that God does not answer prayers and that he doesn’t seem to care about this world, or us, the people, living in it.

It’s too easy to see and view only the bad, I think that it is our view and understanding of the world we live in that blinds us to the truth – a higher and better perspective on life. God created us in his own image. He knew before we were even born that our ability to choose could lead us into a life that was separated from him. Even so, God still created us and loved us with his entire being. Eventually our free choices got us into trouble, our relationship with God was severely severed, but we were not completely lost. God had a plan.

As lost as we were, God, worried about us, chose to come to earth in human form to find us, to save us. Love drove him to take every wrong we’ve ever done, place it on his self, and willingly paid the price – death; He was our sacrifice. For those who would choose to follow him, he willingly died, for those who would deny him, scorn him, and hurt him, he died. God made the way for our return into his Kingdom, and into a wonderful relationship with him, even before we asked, before we knew we’re in need of a savior.

What could show that God would answer our prayers, even before we asked, better than this? Still it is hard to comprehend why so many evils in this world exists, and why it seems like God does not answer prayers and meets needs like for those who are homeless, poverty stricken, and addicted to drugs. Personally I pray every day for God to help me get a job, I’ve applied at over twenty different companies and at one employment services agency. I’ve gone to my church for help, talked to my pastor and have asked numerous friends and family to pray that God blesses me with a job. Still, nothing seems to be happening. What do I do from here?

The only thing that I can do - cling to God! As down as I may get at times, I seek God and choose to continue to trust him. Believe me; I’m not always happy and cheery when I pray to him. I get angry too, I get frustrated. But if I don’t turn to God, who do I turn to. If God chooses not to answer my prayers, who can I complain to, or who has authority and power equal to his that I can turn to. No one and nobody is equal to God, so when I complain, I complain to God

Active Expectant Anticipation

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0000

Active Expectant Anticipation
07.24.08

“But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
- Isaiah 40:31

If to wait on the Lord means to literally wait, then I have certainly been waiting for awhile now. I’m waiting for a job, a miracle really, to get me through and above the bad choices I’ve made, as well as the current situations that I come to find myself in. But I get the impression that this “waiting” is not a pacifistic waiting, like someone in the “waiting” area to see a doctor, or something as mundane as waiting for the water to boil. Even a chef has to turn the knob or press a button in order to get the heat going, the process started, in order for the water to boil. So what is God asking when he instructs us to wait on him?

I will suggest that waiting on the Lord could be described in several ways. The basis for me and my understanding is that waiting on the Lord is an active expectant anticipation of the Lord’s coming – both in our struggles and the future when God judges the world. To wait on God is more than just passively sitting in a chair expecting to be swooshed up into blessings, because you just prayed to the Holy One. Instead it is an active role where we participate in following God’s commandments, teachings, and life lessons.

Trusting God and waiting on him will include being patient through trying times, times of despair, and times of utter frustration. I’ve gone through a lot of frustration; in fact I am still going through a lot during this season of my life. However, though I may vent my anger and discontent at God, I have never ceased to, though I may have “slowed” down on, seeking God. Trust God throughout all of life’s circumstances – both good and bad, for it says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, acknowledge him in all you do, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6) And in Romans 8:28, it says that God works all things together for good to those who love God and have been called according to His purpose (I would add that it’s more like those who have accepted the “call”).

When we are able to wait on God, he promises to renew our strength...a new hope, or renewing our hope, I believe, is also an accurate description too. So do not be afraid to come to God in whatever state you may be in, just do not give up, but continually seek after him, following his word and instructions for a fruitful life the best you can, for God loves us and cares for us even more than the best of friends, family, or partner.

God bless you as you wait on the Lord,

Ikaika Mossman

Preparing to Further Hope

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:33:00 +0000

Preparing to Further Hope

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy”
- 1 Peter 1:13-16

Faith - my beliefs and choices put into action, executed by self-control, founded in my hope that is being fully placed in Jesus Christ (in what he has done, and in the promises that the Lord has made to those who seek him and follow after him).

Trying to daily remind myself of what I am living for, what my actions are telling the world of what I stand for, has taken on a new form and definition for me. Perhaps it is more than just that, but that perhaps what I think I know is actually growing and becoming more complete in what the truth really is regarding what Jesus said about “counting the cost” – am I willing to put the effort required for following Christ?

“Prepare” - what God is trying to get our eyes to open up to and minds to wrap it’s understanding around, is what Peter says. There really is a preparation for moving the thoughts of our faith into action, it takes time, and it takes our willingness to use our self-control. So what does this “preparing” look like?

It’s quite simple; it means that we need to choose our choices before the opportunity to make them comes. Did you catch that? For instance, if there was a test and the only way to pass was to study for it, you would need to prepare by studying. In the same way, we need to study God’s word to help prepare our minds for the decisions that will come and test our faith. In Hosea 4:6 it says that God’s “people are destroyed for their lack of knowledge.” (emphasis added)

In the Old Testament, after Moses had passed away, the Lord commanded Joshua to lead his people to cross the Jordan River into the promise land. God had previously given them instructions to follow out as well as his commandments that they were to follow. The Lord continued to speak to Joshua saying “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8)

Even Kings in the Old Testament were required to have a copy of the lord’s instructions and commandments as it says, “He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way...” (Deuteronomy 17:19-20)

Meditating on God’s word, day and night, and daily reading to learn to fear the Lord, keeping us from turning away, is what we must do to prepare our minds to action (just as Joshua and the Kings of Israel had to do). This is the best way, if not the only way, to be ready for the tests that come in our lives. God does not want us to be caught off guard or unprepared, and this is the reason why God graciously guided the completion of the Bible for us.

Do not forget to prepare, to study God’s word, allowing it to penetrate, pierce and transform our thoughts as well as our hearts. Our faith lived out is the most important thing we can do after choosing to follow our Lord and savior; living consciously of our thoughts and actions to live with self-control. All of this for the hope we have in Christ, living without regret, knowing that our actions are furthering not only God’s Kingdom, but stretching out the hope we carry inside to those who are hurting, in need of, and searching for the one true God.

Seek God and live out your faith full heartedly,

Ikaika Mossman

More than words, but actions

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:25:00 +0000

More than words, but actions

"Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory."

-2 Kings 18:5-8

Time and time again I’ve read feats and characteristics of men such as David, Hezekiah, and Abraham. These were men who sought after God’s own heart, men who were called friends of God, and who held fast to their faith and belief in God and what he said. Last night a friend of mine, the beautiful Jen, took me to New Hope in Hawaii. It had been at least six months since I’ve been there because of my circumstances at the moment. To my surprise neither Pastor Wayne, nor Pastor Elywn were to speak, but a Pastor from New Hope Tokyo – Pastor Talo.

He gave a message entitled “Make Us Evangelistic.” It was really inspiring and reminded me of the importance of living out your faith, doing more than just believing alone. It was simple, but powerful. A wake-up call if you will that ideas and beliefs alone will not get the job done, but the deeds and actions behind driving that faith forward into reality. It is like there is a void between what we believe and what actually takes place in each of our individual lives. This emptiness between can only be crossed when we make the effort and take the initiative to bridge that gap with the choices we make and actions that we take.

A part of me used to think that it may be enough to just believe it, and when it suited me I would bridge that gap, or when there would be no cost and chance of embarrassment. However this is not what it means to be like Hezekiah who “held fast to the Lord,” or David who “was a man after God’s own heart.” Being a Christian is not about what is convenient or easy for me, having a relationship with God is not about him just benefiting us with “blessings” of money, some hot chick or that hunk of a man, or even a job. Our relationship with God most not just be in our heads, but our hearts through actions and deeds. Knowing God’s word and seeking after God as followers did before us will be a part of our guidance, and the other will be God’s Holy Spirit that has been promised to us.

Hezekiah was not noted for holding fast to God because he picked and chose what commands to follow and which to ignore. His success did not come from doing whatever he wanted, or even what he may have “thought” God wanted him to do. Hezekiah loved God to the extent of not just putting his own life on the line, but the risk of his entire kingdom – which was being threatened by the king of Assyria at that time. It is his actions that pleased God; he would not follow certain kings before him who worshiped and burned incense to other gods. By tearing down and destroying objects, and practices that God had commanded his people not to do, he chose his love for God over his love for man and his approval.

Choices, our world, our life are filled with them. We can either choose what we believe, or what is popular. We can choose our friends, or we can choose God. Not everything is always so cut and dry, or black and white, but this is why there is also the option of seeking God.

There was a time in my life where I forgot these things and let down a lot of people – best friends, family, and others that I failed to love properly. My choices were poor and did not match up to the beliefs and values that I held, I suppressed them in bitterness and anger. Obviously that was not the right choice, instead of the bitterness and anger I should have chosen to hold fast to God.

The past is done and over with, but with the present I have the choice to change my future. Even though it will not be easy to move forward fast with ease, my hope is in the Lord and choosing to take actions on my faith, I know now, is worth more than all the money, or even beautiful women, in the world. I choose Christ Jesus. It is my hope and prayer that those who read this will look at their lives and make the same choice to follow after our Lord. Don’t just think about following, but do it, make your next choice one which you will never regret; choose to follow Christ.

God bless and choose well,

Ikaika Mossman

Two Parts to Faith

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:07:00 +0000

Two parts to Faith

“If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead... You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” - James 2:16-17, 22

Faith, what is it really? Is it just hoping, or wishful thinking, or an out-dated belief in some “god” or “higher power”? Normally when someone says faith, it is to be taken as that they believe in...whatever it is they have faith in. For example: I have faith that the U.S will come home with 20 gold medals from this year’s Olympics, or I have faith that I will get a job. Believing that something will happen or come to pass even without really knowing is faith, but it is just the first half of it.

The Bible puts it this way, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Is it enough to just believe? It is not enough to just believe, but to act on those beliefs as well. Putting action behind what we believe is true faith, a faith made whole really. Believing is good, but to just believe, what would be the point?

So right now I need a job. I could sit at home and do nothing and say to myself, “Ikaika, I believe you need a job!” And then I’ll reply to myself, because that’s what crazy people do, “Yes, you are right I do, need a job. I hope I get one.” Well, I believe, and do add to it, I’m hoping. Unfortunately sitting down is not going to help my belief at all. But if I believe and then get off my boney butt and apply for a job, that is when I truly believe it. To truly believe something, you must do something that supports your belief, because if not it is just an idea, an unconvincing thought.

Laughing to myself, this seems so very commonsense, like we should all slap our foreheads and say “duh” in a very dramatic fashion. I suppose though that commonsense really is not all that common, and the reason for that is because often we are too close to a problem or situation to see the answer clearly. In other words, commonsense is so common that it is too close for us to see it.

However, more than just applying it to our daily mundane ventures, I believe that this needs to be applied to our spiritual lives, because a lot of good can come from doing just that. A lot of us are trying to live a “good” life, trying to say the “right” things, praying at every meal, but other than things that just seem so ritualistic and repetitive – which there is nothing bad about, wouldn’t it be more potent as Christians to do more of what we say we believe?

Without dragging this on any further, I would like to challenge you, as well as myself, to look at what you believe from the Bible and find just one thing that you could put action behind to make it a true, whole, and complete faith. Find just one thing that you can identify with, that you believe and have faith in, but have taken little or no action behind and take action on it. It could be something simple as honoring your mother and father, visiting a friend or family member in prison, helping a friend that is in need that you are able to help, or even something as big as buying me “Star Wars: Unleashed” for my Xbox 360 (that was a joke by the way).

Find something to challenge your spiritual growth, even if it’s the same challenge for several days. Your spiritual growth will mature you and grow you in ways that going to school, having a full-time job, or parenting alone won’t do. This will ultimately draw you nearer to God, and like Abraham and Kind David, you will be considered a friend of God and A man, or woman, after God’s own heart.

God bless and grow well,

Ikaika Mossman

To Christ Encouraging Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:13:00 +0000

To Christ Encouraging Hearts

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.”

- Hebrews 3:12-14

No words could be truer for someone whose eyes had been opened to the truth. Whether it is someone who just understood for the first time or someone whose heart had been hardened after first believing and whose hard-shell over the heart had finally been cracked open – like the cracking of a window, enjoying a fresh breeze of air, in a hot and humid house.

Everyone has fallen away from God; you fell away when Adam and Eve brought sin into the world. Even after believing for the first time, after first realizing - that this world is more than what it seems, that there is a spiritual reality, a God, a savior, and true life – many fall right back into the life they first knew, they fall back into a “default” way of living. Just as a dog will return to its vomit, we will often return to old ways, the ways before we entered into the reality of the spiritual pulls and throws of deceivers – the prince of darkness and things which follow him.

Whether you have fallen away or not, it is having Him as the source that is important. Coming to God, “clinging” to him and seeking him, this will have to happen and have to be if any of us are to be called “friends of God,” and to really be a believer.

Sin has a way of distancing us from God, the counter-action of our steps of faith and pushing off the path of purpose that God has planned for us – plans he devised even before we were born, before we gave up our stubborn ways and opened our hearts to the living God. And this is why Hebrews says that we must encourage one another daily, as long as we are alive and breathing – this is our “Today.” This is because sin really does harden us if left unchecked. When we allow sin to linger in our hearts, our hearts will become calloused due to the simple fact that we did not correct it. Sin has the power to destroy even the closest of relationships to God, to anyone really, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Encourage each other to be strong in Christ, because when our own strength withers and gives out from exhaustion and confusion, it will be the strength of God through fellow believers – our family in Christ – that will help us to withstand whatever the enemy throws at us. Do not give in to the lies of the enemy; do not believe the doubts in your own head, just because you think it does not mean it’s true. Our best source of truth comes from God; it comes from his word – The Bible.

Remember that sins deceitfulness is that when we fall, or give in to temptation, we think that we should give up and roll over, perhaps even to crawl into a hole and die. This is not true, it is not God’s truth, and his truth and what he says and thinks should matter above all else, even above our own thoughts and disabling inner babblings.

Can you recollect your mind set, thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the time when you first believed? Do you recall your confidence in Christ, even though you were just saved, the zeal and joy you experienced diving into God’s word, attending church, and speaking to friends and loved ones of your new found faith? Bring back that freshness and newness into your life, take confidence in Christ just as David did as he faced Goliath. Encourage each other and remind each other of what God has done, and what he will do, everyday.

Be blessed and encouraged through whatever trials and hardships you may be facing. You are not alone, for at the least God is there and his Holy Spirit dwells in all who believe and acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

with much Encouragement,

Ikaika Mossman

Pray at all times

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:05:00 +0000

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be
persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
- Ephesians 6:18

The power of prayer. Prayer is real, I've seen the results of prayer, how it can change, influence, and impact the world around you. Don't be mistaken, it's not like I can pray and have the entire world at peace the next day. And there is certainly more to prayer than I know, but just because I don't understand it doesn't mean that I doubt it...even during the times when my prayers are not being answered.

Most of us pray, whether it's for our food, for a dying family member, injured friend, or broken relationship; we pray. But what I'm speaking on today is that God desires for us to come to him even when we don't have a dire need. To come for even smaller things, to come even just to chat about life - how you feel about it, the thankful times too, God likes this and so will you.

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion" means to be not praying every second of every day, but to be alert to what God may be asking you to pray for and for things that you may see happening around you that could use a touch of God. If you are a believer then you should know that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12

Our prayers affect the our world around us, not because we are powerful, but because God is.

I'm going to make this short, because I'm currently in the market for a job. So let me finish my saying that God does not always say "OK" to our prayers. There are a couple of things that I want you to have in mind about prayer. The first thing is that we must pray according to the will of God. If you are wondering what that is, it is best found in the Bible - this shows us God's will in general. Second thing is that prayer can be a powerful spiritual weapon/tool. It has the power to bring people from the dead and it has the power to help others get a job - hopefully like myself, I'll let you know. The point is that your faith, maturity level, righteousness - being in good standing before God, all are taken into account when you pray for something. Now by this all I'm trying to say that the closer you are to God the more in tune with God's will you will be, this will result in seeing more prayers answered.

Think of it this way, a child says she wants to be a police officer to her father, should he give her a gun? Of course not, he'll start her off with a water gun if anything. She'll only get the gun after growing up and getting the proper training. Prayer can be likened to a gun in this sense.

Pray, seek God, and if all your prayers are not answered right now, or right away, don't beat up yourself or God about it. Talk to Him about it, continue to seek God, you will see God more and more. You will see your prayers becoming more and more effective. God is real, he's alive, and he desires for all of us to be close to him. Take care,

Seeking God and praying,

Ikaika Mossman

God's plan His truth

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Sat, 31 May 2008 21:37:00 +0000

“The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

- Proverbs 33:10-11

It’s amazing, the thought of the things I’ve gone through and things that have at one point made me such a strong believer, truly it is amazing. To have had so much in terms of faith, leadership abilities, and friends, then lose it because of a pain that felt as if it had ripped my insides to shreds. Certainly I am not blaming anyone; truly it was my fault on the way I had dealt with it. I just reacted and only cared about destroying my memories and numbing my pain. That was foolish and I wasted so much time cleaning up the mess I had created.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord...” In Jeremiah God speaks of plans he has for not just him, but for all of us. He knows us and he has given each of us enough faith to at least come and seek him out, to prime the “pump” to a deep well of faith. God’s plans will stand forever, and no one can truly thwart them. And if God’s plans will stand forever, even if I mess up and stumble down the cliff I had climbed up over the years, I can still get back up and past the highest point as long as I’m still alive and still breathing. There’s still a chance to reach the highest goals and dreams I know that God has placed in my heart.

All it took was for me to have heard the truth once again to be reminded of who I was and where I was going, where God was taking me to more specific. It’s amazing what the truth can do when you recognize it, how it can affect the way you see and perceive life. It can be likened to a lei – a flower wreath that goes around your neck, wherever you go, the world around you will smell just like that lei you are wearing. If you have a fresh flower lei of plumerias, life will smell ever so beautiful. However, if you are wearing a lei of dead fish then life will smell...”fishy.” That lei we wear is the “tool” we use to perceive life.

There’s a story about this student who had to take a final the up-coming day. He hadn’t studied very much and needed to achieve a high score to pass the class. He snuck into the teacher’s office and copied the answer booklet with his camera phone. He studied the answers all night and was confident he would do well. The next morning he walks into class ready for the test, completely concentrating on the answers in his head and nothing else. The finals are passed out and he begins...after answering a few questions he pauses, realizing he had made a grave error. He had studied for the wrong final, the wrong answer booklet. He had gotten the two final days mixed up.

If our “answer booklet” is wrong, we will perceive life wrong, just like the student who studied the wrong “answer booklet.” But if our “answer booklet” is correct, if we have the right truths to open our eyes, then life is even bigger than it had once seemed – this is because truth will often broaden the horizons and give definition and true depth.

God’s plans are God’s plans, you cannot change them in the broad sense, but you can for your own personal life if you really choose to – both for good and for bad, it is what you decide. I hope that you want the best for your life, and for your future, because God wants that for you too. It’s up to us though to follow him as he leads us down this path. What will you choose? How do you wish to see yourself when the end comes and all is said and done?

May you follow God and learn of his wonderful plans for your life.

God bless,

Ikaika Mossman

Get rich quick quickly disappears

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:47:00 +0000

"Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears;
wealth from hard work grows over time."

- Proverbs 13:11

For a person who leaves home and goes off somewhere with nothing, but the clothes on his back, it is hard to to make their "claim" on their dreams. But at the same time it forces you to do what you must to survive and to eventually see your dreams come to fruitfulness. Certainly I have felt this way when I first got here, and continually feel this way. Perhaps I came with more than just the clothes on my back, but truly I have been put in a position where I must push forward and work hard to see my dreams come true.

I've tried several "get-rich-quick" schemes and have just waisted money and time. From things such as ways to get free money from the government and other organizations, to those "type from home" gimmicks, and to other things that involves "clicking" and buying "clickers" to "click" to make money.

I was too naive and believed them without thinking. How very unwise of me. Get-rich-quick schemes don't work, unless you are the guy who's selling the product. He is certainly getting rich quick. Everyone else who joins in or buys the product will never be as rich as the one who started it, especially for product sellers. As if they will tell you all their secrets that have made them rich, if they did then they wouldn't be rich anymore.

Do not be foolish and fall for such things. It truly is hard work that will give you the good results you need, and perhaps even a bit of "luck." I have two online endeavors going on right now, both have just begun for me. Everyday I do something that will help my company and endeavors get noticed by the online community and by people I meet here where I live. It is hard work, building it up, the hours of typing and thinking, studying, reading, and learning how to run and expand my business is hard. But I know that God will bless my efforts. I know he'll give me success as I put him first and work hard on my legitimate endeavors. Not like those who sell "get rich quick" schemes and products.

There is no room for laziness, for just talking about the fortune I want to make, or my dreams that I want to achieve. To make it a reality, to see it come to pass, I must work towards them. And that is what I am going to do, as hard as it may be for me right now, as tired as my eyes get from staring at my computer, as broke as I feel at the moment; I will achieve the best of what God has for my life.

The best part is that I know that anyone can do the same. God promises us all that he has a good and wonderful plan for us, that will bring prosperity and hope for the future (Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.)

One last thing I want to leave you with is this from Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Like me, most of us have probably rebelled against God plenty. I've only begun to get to know God since my senior year in high school, and have made plenty of mistakes - things I am ashamed of. But I know these words to be true, because there was also a time when I was so close, where I saw prayers answered so quickly, so reassuringly and gently. I have no doubt in God's words...

And that is why I've started this blog, to draw closer to God once again, to share what I am learning in hopes to help those when they up against similar situations and circumstances, and to show in time how true God's words are.

God bless,

Ikaika Mossman

Where is God through life’s pains?

noreply@blogger.com (istyles) — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:22:00 +0000

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.”
- Psalms 136:1

Being thankful to God is not always the easiest thing to be, especially when you are down and out. Can you imagine how hard it is to be thankful when you are living from paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet? Or perhaps it is even more difficult for you, and you are not meeting ends meet, you’re borrowing money, gaining more debt. Is it still fathomable to give thanks to God and call him good? It is hard to be in that place and answer “YES.” But there are those who really can, why is it that in the midst of such pain – someone in the family accidently dies, like the recent tragedy of Mr. Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter – Maria Sue, who was accidently killed.

(I can only imagine the pain, hurt, and wonder of “where was God” going through their thoughts and minds of others who have heard and read the news. Where is God when life’s pain sticks us like a spear through our hearts? My heart and prayers go out to this wonderful family who has helped millions through their God given gifts.)

God is good, or there would be no good in this world at all. People would not dedicate their entire lives to helping those who struggle, who lay dying in the gutters of Calcutta, who build schools, houses, and hospitals for those who have none in the Dominican Republic and many other places around the world, including right here at home. God is still good when we take our eyes off of the pain and back on God.

This does not mean that we ignore the pain, or pretend that it had never happened. God does not ignore our pain, and neither should we. Instead we focus on God, because that will begin to help heal the pain and hurt we have gone through, it helps us to move forward in a healthy way. Staring at and focusing only on what has happened will often disable us from moving forward, being able to trust that God will bring a measure of good out of something so wrong and heart wrenching.

David had gone through such pain and trials in the process of becoming the King of Israel. King Saul was bent on having him killed, he was jealous of David with such a fierce desire. Several times he tried to kill David by hurling a javelin at him. Finally David had to flee the city. Instead of cursing God and trying to get revenge, David cried out to God. He knew that God was still good; he knew that if there were to be a turn of events, God was going to be the one to do it. And in time, David was freed from the pursuit of King Saul.

Later, after David had become King, he lost a son. In fact, I believe that he lost two sons at different periods. Even with the pain, the mourning of his heart, he chose to trust God. He found God to be true, to be faithful, and good.

God is good, he is faithful and loving. Perhaps humbling our selves, even during the worst of times - the hardest of times, through the pain, we will allow God to work out good through the bad.

today's Daily Devotions,

-istyles