by Karen Makishima, Director of Ohana Ministries

Jeremiah 31:7-9 This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel. See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. 

In this fascinating Old Testament book, Jeremiah warned the people of Judah of the judgment that was coming if they chose not to repent, which they did. As a result, they were attacked by their enemies, captured, and taken into slavery to Babylon for seventy years. Destruction and judgment came on a nation for their hardened hearts.

I can’t imagine not being able to go home for seventy years! 

I have had the privilege to go on several mission trips. On the first week I love the newness of the experience. I love the people, food, music, the landscape, their dress – everything was different. The unfamiliar was so intriguing. But after about that first week, I found myself feeling totally out of my comfort zone. I longed to go home wanting something familiar. One time I remember lying on the ground trying to go to sleep in a third-world country desiring to have my own bed, a warm shower, and a Diet Coke from 7-11 with lots of ice. I couldn’t wait to go back HOME! 

So can you just imagine the longing the Israelites had for their home? 

But starting with Jeremiah chapter 30, the tone changes from judgment and destruction to comfort. The Israelites are returning from exile. God is bringing His chosen few, His remnant, back home. It is a joyful homecoming. All that is familiar is being restored. For it is HOME, a place that may have been completely lost while in exile. But something within them kept them connected to their tradition, to what once was. . . to their home. What was lost is finally being restored. They are going home. 

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back this place. For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:10-11, ESV)

Don’t you just love how our God is faithful even when His people are not? The Lord led the Israelites back from exile into freedom. This time, though, the path home was straight, unlike the time when they were wandering in the desert for 40 years. 

God wants to do the same for us. If you are feeling exiled or alone and are wanting to go home, allow God to bring you to His path. He wants you to belong and be with others who can walk alongside you in your faith journey. God wants nothing but the best for you.

Pray: Father, for those times when I feel “exiled” or alone or I just don’t belong, please help me to remember that I really am not because Youʻre always with me. Help me to reach out to You and other people. Bring me back to where I can have a sense of home in Your ʻOhana. Renew my relationship with You, Abba Father. And for those who don’t know you yet as their Father, please show Yourself to them in a powerful way. Woo them into Your ʻOhana. Amen

Email Karen Makishima

Share this with a friend.

by Marianne Schultz, Deacon

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:3 NIV) 

I am inspired by God's gifts of food and wine. September to December is pomegranate season and I am obsessed by this fruit. The "Cookbook of Foods from Bible Days" by Jean and Frank McKibben led me to focus my sharing some history and uses of this beautiful fruit.

• Did you know the pomegranate is mentioned 25 times in the Old Testament?

• The Moors introduced to Spain a method of tanning leather with pomegranates, which made Cordova famous for its leatherwork.

• In the Bible it was known as a cooling drink and the basis for spiced wine.

• The first sherbet was most likely pomegranate juice mixed with fresh snow.

• Longevity is legendary for the pomegranate tree. Some specimens over 200 years old have been known to bear fruit.

• Pomegranates in Christian art are powerful symbols representing plentitude, hope, spiritual faithfulness, and chastity.

• Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, vitamin K, and potassium.

The seeds of the pomegranate (known as arils) number in the hundreds. As I have been extracting the delicious seeds from the fruits, many things come to mind. I see the ruby jewels that the seeds are, so very beautiful in color and flavor. I think of these seeds as my many blessings, the giants I have faced, prayers to be shared for others, opportunities I have to do the work of God in our community, and within the First Prez ʻohana. How thankful I am to be able to share His love, whether itʻs by sending a card to someone, Pet Loss counseling, or serving on the Hospitality team, for example. I become mesmerized as the seeds fill the bowl, knowing the goodness there.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

What are seeds that others have sown in your life that have grown to produce fruit? What seeds are you sowing today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in this season of prayer and fasting, let us not only give something up to spend more time with you, let us think of how we can share the fruit of the Spirit with others near and far. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

Email Marianne Schultz

Share this with a friend.

by Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator

Then Job answered the Lord: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Job 42:1-3)

I have a pet peeve of sorts. I’m not sure why, but when people finish my sentences or assume they know what I am thinking, and they’re WRONG, it rubs me the wrong way. Oftentimes I am not thinking or feeling what they assume. They don’t fully understand the situation, the history or my thought process, yet they speak as if they do. Perhaps that is why I value those who ask questions and listen well. 

Yet as I reflected upon today’s passage in Job, I realize I do the VERY SAME thing to God! In moments of self-righteousness and ignorance, I assume I know more than the almighty, all-knowing, everlasting God. I utter things “I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” 

Many know the story of Job where he was tested and lost everything––property, riches, relationships, family, health––and Job argues with God to the point that God responds to Job in the whirlwind. In breathtaking prose, God speaks. “Where were you when I….” ... “Can you” ... “Look at” ... “Who can?” 

Then in humility and repentance Job utters, “I know that You can do all things,” and then worships God.  We know the end of Job’s story, how God restores all that Job had and more. 

We don’t know the end of our own story yet, but we can trust God in the whirlwind. It takes humility and a soft heart to yield to God in the greater work that He is doing in our lives. Sometimes we think we know more than God and want to accuse, put God in the wrong, or condemn Him (Job 40:8). We think we understand all there is to understand in the situation. 

But throughout the Bible we see the overarching character of God––the God who keeps His covenant promises with His people; the God who forgives over and over again; the God who longs to draw His own very close, like a mother hen to her chicks; the God who sent His only Son Jesus to bear our sins and die a painful death on the cross. Why? Because God is love, and His very nature encompasses all that surrounds love. 

As we go through our 40-day fast as the body of Christ, let us become even more aware of His leading. Let us listen well. Let us be the people of God with soft, pliable hearts, moldable like clay in the potter’s hands. We can trust Him the One who can do all things and loves us with an everlasting love. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for loving me, even when I assume things I do not know, or want to control my life and be the center of our universe. Forgive me and draw me closer to You. I want to have a soft and moldable heart. I want to listen well. I want to be conformed to Your image and submit to Your will. Thank You for being my God. In Jesus name I pray, Amen 

Email Jenny Sung

Share this with a friend.

by Marianna Meachen, Chaplain and Director of Care Ministries

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:8)

I am fascinated by people who take photos of their food and post on social media. I have read different explanations for this practice––from it enhancing the flavor of the food by increasing the anticipation of eating, to it being a ritualistic form of grace before meals. 

The scripture for today begins with “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” What does it mean to taste the Lord? Don’t we already know that He is good? To taste seems to be an invitation to draw close to God, first inhaling the aroma of God. We also find in Ephesians 5:2 that we are to walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us “as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

As that fragrance lingers in our hearts, especially during this 40-Day Fast, we then marinate in it and experience His love and the goodness surrounding Him. His goodness is protection, strength, direction, peace, forgiveness, wisdom, and so much more. 

When we trust God, we turn to Him, take refuge in Him whether or not those situation or circumstances are good or bad. We go to Him for the little things in life, as well as the big ones,. And sometimes, leaning on God during those hard situations are when we truly taste and see His goodness the most. 

When we depend on God and willingly look to Him to meet our needs, provide all of our needs, He calls us blessed and surrounds us with His favor. Interestingly as He invites us to taste and see that He is good, He entreats us to be the salt of the earth, to reflect to others what He freely gives us. 

With so many references of God’s love and goodness with words that are food-based, it makes me think that my favorite photo that is often used to represent Christ is the photo of bread and wine, and He as the host of the table. 

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You that You give yourself continually that I might see, smell, and taste Your goodness. Let it stir the juices of my heart to be more like You, deeply experience Your love daily, and share Your love with all, so that the world might know You as well. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Email Marianna

Share this with a friend.

by Gary Toh, Director of Prayer Ministry

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:46-52)

Gospel writer John Mark wrote about a time when a blind man called out to Jesus as He was leaving Jericho. Many people asked the blind man to shut up, but Jesus stopped and asked the man to come to Him. When Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted, he said he wanted to see. Jesus then said, "Your faith has healed you," and his sight was restored.

I remember an incident from some years ago when our church was going through a time of prayer and fasting for seven days. On the second night of the fast, we had a prayer meeting, and I was in a prayer group with a friend. He had just recently committed his life to Christ and was new to the Christian faith and practices. This is the first time he had ever participated in a fast. When he came into the room, I could see that he did not look too well. His face was pale and looked very haggard.

I asked him what happened, why he looked the way he did. He bowed his head and sheepishly said he has been trying to fast for the past two days. Then he said, "I do not know how Jesus did it when he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. I am on my second day, and I feel I am almost ready to die."

Out of curiosity, I asked him, "What are you fasting from?" He said, "I read in the Bible that Jesus fasted from food and water for 40 days, so Iʻm just trying to follow His example. I have not eaten or drank for the past 48 hours." At this point, I tried to hold back my shock and amusement. I said to him. "Bro, I think we need to talk," and I got him a cup of water.

I do hope that if youʻre on our current fast that you had listened and looked at the fasting instructions. If not let me know, and I will be sure to bring you a glass of plantation iced tea.

My friend had chosen to follow Jesus by His example. Maybe due to the lack of instructions, he had sought out the Bible on what to do. He was doing his best to follow Jesus. Same for the man in the passage, whose name was Bartimaeus.

After Jesus healed him, he followed Jesus. From the passage, we could assume that the Gospel writer John Mark knew who Bartimaeus was since his name was recorded. There are very few incidents in the Bible where people who received healing were named. That probably means that John Mark got to know him after the incident. So it is likely Bartimaeus followed Jesus even beyond his town. 

We are all called to follow Jesus. He made that invitation on the cross where He redeemed us with His blood and sacrifice.

Prayer: Lord, show me how I can follow You. Show me how I can walk the path that you have destined for me. Amen.

Email Gary Toh

Share this with a friend.

by David Chang, Director of Ministry Support

Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path. If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!” (Psalm 91:9-16, The Message)

As I was reading this passage of scripture, I began to struggle with it. If this scripture is true, then God is not my refuge. It says that “evil can’t get close, harm can’t get through the door,” but then why was I suddenly fired (from a previous job) when my career was going so well? Where were those angels when I crashed on my bike, fell, and broke my collarbone? It also says that we will “walk unharmed,” so how come my wife got cancer?

Perhaps I wasn’t reading this scripture right? A thought came to mind. Didn’t Jesus teach that in order to receive God’s Kingdom we needed to have childlike faith (Matthew 18:1-5)? Maybe that’s my problem. I’ve been reading this passage not with “childlike” faith, but with “childish” faith. 

What’s the difference? I think childish faith is like when I used to get mad at my parents when things didn’t go my way. Childish is when I questioned my parents’ love when they didn’t let me have chocolate ice cream three times a day, made me do my homework, and not let me live in Disneyland. 

Childlike faith, on the other hand, is trusting that whatever was happening to me was okay because I trusted that my parents were in control. They only did what was best for me. 

Hmmm, this would change how I read and receive this scripture. 

Now when I read “evil and harm can’t get close” to me,” I receive it as whatever happens to me is okay because my Heavenly Father has carefully considered it and knows that it will be good for me. My being fired from a job was not all together harm and evil, but a stepping stone to get me from the corporate world to where I am today in full-time ministry.

When I read that His angels keep me from falling, I receive it to mean that if the angels weren’t there, my crashing my bicycle could have been a lot worse than just a fractured collarbone. I could even have been killed.

When I read that “I will give you the best of care,” I receive it to mean that without God’s care, cancer would have taken away my wife.

I’m smiling now because God is helping to put away childish ways (1 Cor 13:11). My Heavenly Father is helping me to grow up to be more childlike.

Prayer: Abba, thank You for being my perfect parent. Help me to put away my childish ways. Help me to be childlike, to receive all that You have for me, especially as our church goes on a 40-day fast. Help to have trust and gratitude that everything that I have now is from Your love and care. In Jesus name, Amen.

Email David

Share this with a friend.

by Patty Kamahele, Administrative Assistant

Isaiah 53:4a  Surely our griefs He Himself bore and our sorrows He carried; 
(1 Peter 2:24)

Isaiah 53:5a  But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;
John 19:34 and John 19:1

Isaiah 53:6b  But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

Isaiah 53:7b  Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.
Matthew 26:63 and Mark 14:61

Isaiah 53:9a  His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death. 
Matthew 27:57-60 

Isaiah 53:9b Because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
1 Peter 2:21-22

Isaiah 53:11b  My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.
John 3:16 and Romans 5:18-19

Isaiah 53:12b  Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors.
Luke 23:34 and 1 Timothy 2:5

I became a Christian many years ago and have always been in love with reading and studying God’s Word. I have been blessed and fortunate to have had solid Bible-teaching and doctrine with pastors who love and serve the Lord (my late husband included).

It absolutely astounds me sometimes how the Old Testament aligns with the New in amazing ways. How it points to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, even though written thousands of years earlier.

Please take a moment to go over the above verses in Isaiah 53 and below each, you will find the scriptures paralleled in the New Testament. (Just click on the links to read them.)

May the First Prez 40-Day time of fasting and prayer serve to draw each of us closer to the Lord and His precious Word.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the power, love, and guidance we find in the Word You have given us. May we never take for granted that we have access to it any time, any place, anywhere, when many do not. In gratefulness and in Name of The Word, Jesus, we pray. Amen

Email Patty Kamahele

Share this with a friend.

by Chris Pan, Executive Director

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:35-45)

Pastor Dan preached on Matthew’s account of this incident this past Sunday. Today we have the account from the Gospel of Mark, and the same theme of God’s upside-down Kingdom is present.

A few years ago I heard Professor Kyle Strobel from Biola University give a talk at our denominational conference. Strobel said that the American Evangelical Church always focuses on two topics that cause scandals: sex and money. If you look in the news, you’ll see plenty of stories of pastors being fired for inappropriate sexual conduct, or people arrested for embezzling money from their church. But Strobel said there is a third topic that we hardly ever talk about in the church, and that is POWER. 

Strobel and Pastor Jamin Goggin wrote a book called “The Way of the Dragon and Way of Lamb: Searching for Jesus’ Path of Power in a Church that has Abandoned It.” Their hope was to highlight how even Christians have fallen into the trap of following the worldʻs path to power. The world says to climb to the top, even if it means hurting people along the way. But in Jesus’ upside-down Kingdom, it isnʻt so. 

The disciples closest to Jesus, His closest friends, didn’t get caught up in a sex scandal or caught stealing money. But they did get caught up in clamoring and jockeying for power. In a way Jesus told them that if they want power, they have to first give it up.

As we continue on our 40-day fast, letʻs reflect on Jesus’ path of power: 

“…whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Prayer: Jesus, may I have a heart like Yours today – the heart of a servant. Amen.

Email Chris Pan

Share this with a friend:

by Rosella Shishido, Communications Ministry Coordinator

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7)

I just started watching a docu-series on Disney Plus called Among the Stars, which follows a now-retired NASA astronaut on his last space mission. Iʻm fascinated with the back stories and the glimpses behind the scenes of NASA and other space agencies. I especially like when they show footage of spacewalks on the International Space Station because itʻs as if Iʻm out in space myself, and that just lets my imagination run wild at what that might feel like.

I can imagine being awestruck because I would be looking at our beautiful Earth, the Moon, the planets, and the stars from the privileged vantage point of space. But I can also imagine a daunting fear of being out there where oxygen and gravity are absent. Space is unpredictable, an endless expanse over which no one has control.

And then my focus shifts. I start thinking about God and how Heʻs even much bigger and mightier and more complex than the expanding universe itself. Thatʻs the God we serve! And thatʻs the God speaking in our Scripture passage for today.

At first read the passage may seem boastful, donʻt you think? Itʻs Godʻs response to Job, who was seeking answers for the succession of unfortunate events that befell him. But instead of giving Job a straight answer, God responds with questions (four chapters of questions, in fact) that were not meant to boast but rather to redirect Jobʻs perspective on the tragedies he was facing. God wanted Job to see that nothing that had happened to him surprised God. God knew that the various crises would come, that they would greatly test Jobʻs faith, and that he will eventually come out of them a changed man with a stronger faith in Him.

Job didnʻt need answers. He needed to be reminded who God is. God, who laid the Earthʻs foundation and who decided how big it was to be, remains in control no matter what.

On this 4th day of our 40-Day Fast, look beyond the sky and the stars, and spend some time thinking about how mighty and supreme the Maker of Heaven and Earth is. Heʻs our Creator who is always WITHIN reach. Bring to Him today in prayer whatever it is thatʻs weighing you down. Then listen, and expect an encounter with Him.

Yes, the Creator of this massive universe wants to speak to you.

Prayer: My Lord, my God, I acknowledge that You are all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. Nothing that happens to me escapes Your eyes. Please help me, and see me through the difficult situations before me. In Jesusʻ mighty Name I pray. Amen.

Email Rosella

by Pastor Dan Chun

Hebrews 5:1-10 Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” And in another passage God said to Him, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

While Jesus was here on earth, He offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue Him from death. And God heard His prayers because of His deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him. And God designated Him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

The reason we’re on our 40-Day Fast is that by eliminating some food or drink or activity, we make more room for God in our lives. We become more focused, stronger, calmer. My prayer for our church is that we will focus on Jesus Christ who is our High Priest.

In ancient Hebrew times, the High Priest was the holy one who would represent the people to God. The Jewish community looked toward who they thought was in many ways the perfect high priest––Melchizedek––who was not only a high priest but also the King of Salem (Shalom). When he first appears in Genesis 14, we maybe are surprised to find the early concepts of gratitude, tithing, communion, and the honoring of God as Creator and Deliverer in the life of Abram. A high priest was an intermediary with God. He represented God.          

As our passage says a high priest would have experience in dealing “gently with ignorant and wayward people.” Hence, he would be empathetic, compassionate, caring.            

Jesus Christ is alive today and He is our high priest.          

As we fast in these 40 days, may we become more aware that Christ is our Lord. This one passage is packed with so many reasons why we would want to follow Jesus. For indeed He is gentle with ignorant and wayward people like us. He is our Creator and Deliverer when we are in trouble. He is empathetic. He knows what it means to shed tears and cry out to God in prayer. He modeled obedience even while suffering. He is our salvation!           

So if you are in trouble or a quandary know that we have a high priest who hears our prayers, cries with us, prays with us to the Father, and fights for us. He is our Deliverer and Savior. Take this season of fasting and lean into Him. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Jesus, I commit this 40-Day Fast to You. Please use it to bring me closer to You and to make me even more aware of what it means to have You as my High Priest who intercedes to God the Father on my behalf. Amen.

Email Pastor Dan

Share this with a friend.

By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator

There is a book called Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite friar who wrote about the holiness in the common things of daily life. As the cook at the Paris monastery, Brother Lawrence found the joy of incessant prayer through the day. Whether it was washing dishes or preparing a meal, no act was too little or mundane to pray and seek the presence of God. 

Sometimes we feel we have to be in a special place, or have worship music on, or be a certain mood to experience the presence of God. Having worship music on and being in contemplative spaces may definitely help, but it is more about the attitude of our hearts. Are we open and attentive to God in all the moments of our days? Are our hearts soft and pliable? Are we leaning toward God, being vulnerable and real, listening for His voice? Brother Lawrence noted that we should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s presence by continually conversing with Him. 

If you are not used to this, it may feel foreign at first. Someone once shared with me that they could not imagine talking to someone who they couldn’t touch or see. That’s understandable. It does take a certain leap of faith to be in relationship with God. But He initiated the relationship first. All we do is respond to God’s invitation of love (1 John 4:19). The God of the universe created you, loves you, and gave His life for you through Jesus Christ the Son, and all so that you could be restored into a relationship of love and wholeness with God. It’s mind-blowing when you think about it. 

Know that God is faithful. As we take a step of faith toward Him, He responds with greater faith. He often moves in ways we cannot imagine. The more we seek, the more we see. The more we listen, the more we hear His voice. Brother Lawrence wrote, “Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.”

If you have never taken a step of faith toward God but want to respond to His invitation of love, try this simple prayer of “Sorry, thank you, please.” It doesn’t have to be eloquent or in the exact order. Just be honest and open, and use your own words, if you want. Here’s a sample prayer:

“God I invite you into my heart; please come into my life. I want to receive Your invitation of love and experience Your presence each day. I’m sorry for all the ways I’ve rejected You, hurt others and myself. Thank You for dying for my sins and making me new. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen”

If you just said this prayer, welcome to the family of God! Feel free to contact our church for some practical next steps.

May God bless you, and may we all lean in to experience His presence in every moment of our days.

Prayer: “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:17b-18). Amen!

Email Jenny

Share this with a friend:

By Rosella Shishido. Communications Ministry Coordinator

Have you ever watched THE CHOSEN? It’s been one of my favorite TV series lately. I love the writing, the production, and how the filmmakers interpret what’s recorded in the Bible about Jesus. 

One of my favorite scenes in season 1 is when Jesus calls the abhorred tax collector Matthew to follow Him, an invitation that was appalling to Simon (Peter). Here’s that dialogue from episode 7:

Simon: “Do you have any idea what this guy (Matthew) has done? Do you even know him?”
Still looking at Matthew, Jesus says: “Yes, I know him.”
Simon: “I don’t get it.”
Jesus: “You didn’t get it when I chose you either.”
Simon: “But this is different. I’m not a tax collector.”
Jesus turns to Simon and says: “Get used to different.”

That’s just so Jesus, isn’t it? Just when we think we know how He’ll respond to a situation or to a prayer request, He does something unexpected, something different from what we’re used to. His love, His wisdom, and His power are so infinitely immeasurable that there’s simply no way we can predict Him or put limits upon Him based on what our finite minds believe.

“For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” (Isaiah 55:9, The Message)

If you’re finding yourself in the midst of an unexpected situation that has messed up your plans, I suggest you take a pause. Ask the Lord for guidance. And then listen to what He has to say. Perhaps there’s a hidden good in it that’s escaping your notice. Or maybe the Lord is showing something that needs to be adjusted or changed in your character, lifestyle, relationships, or how you’ve been accustomed to doing things. Painful, yes ... but it will be the good pain of growth.

Whatever that unexpected thing is, face it, and look at it as a stepping stone toward something better, something higher that will strengthen your faith in our Lord and equip you for what lies ahead. 

Be on the lookout for the unexpected and the different because Jesus just might be working through it.

Let’s get used to different.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am grateful that You’re You, that You think differently from how I think. Please open my eyes, my heart, and my mind to what You are showing me or telling me through the unexpected situations (good or bad) that come up. I choose to trust that You will work through them to help me grow in my walk with You. Amen.

Email Rosella

Share this with a friend:

By Rene Toyota, Administrative Assistant

Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.  

In his June 25th devotional (“Call the Bomb Squad. And the Medic”), Jeff Page wrote about anger and how we need to give it to God before it explodes and causes harm. Jeff wrote:

"Anger is the explosion that happens when someone or something pushes our buttons."

"Outbursts of anger are often disproportionate to the cues we experience. Someone may say something rather innocent to us and all of a sudden, we go from calm to furious, instantly becoming a human torch. When that happens, it is because there is something hidden in us that has been activated by those circumstances. It is as if someone stepped on a landmine, and you are the explosion." 

All that Jeff wrote is spot on. My past hurts, trauma, unforgiveness, etc. have all become land mines that surrounded me. The detonator I was holding began to fail, and every mine started to detonate. All the emotions caused me extreme exhaustion; I just wanted it all to stop.

A few days ago an issue came up during a discussion that caused my ears to perk up, my tummy to tighten, tears to well up, and my throat to tighten. I hastily excused myself before I exploded. All I could hear was, "Ready to detonate in: 10, 9, 8, 7... “ 

I texted a couple of friends with, "I need prayer. I am angry.” They responded back, "Praying."

As I took a few breaths and meditated, I became aware that God was there with me. I could feel His presence. I cried out, "Help me. Help me change, Help me see. Help me let go, not just the pain of today, but ALL the pain.” 

And just like that, God helped me look at the situation that upset me, in a different light. The anger lifted; my breath returned to normal. I was then filled with gratitude that covered me in His peace. My detonator was still intact.

I realized at that moment, that I could not count on my own strength, my frontal cortex, or even my heart, which had failed me in the past. This time, I had to rely completely on God our Father, our Healer, and listen to Him. I had let go and trust in Him to settle my matters. 

Will you let go and let Him do the same for you? 

Prayer: God, thank You for Your abundant mercy and your endless forgiveness. Lord, assist us to not be quickly provoked in our spirit, but to remember instead that “anger resides in the lap of fools.” Help us not to pursue rebellion, but rather stand in obedience in pursuing Your guidance and peace so that we do not self-detonate and cause unnecessary explosions around us. Amen.

Email Rene

Share this with a friend:

By Jeff Page, Director of Young Adults Ministry

On August 4, 2020 a horrific fire that resulted in an explosion caused more than 204 deaths and 7,500 injuries in Beirut, Lebanon. It left an estimated 300,000 people homeless and resulted in $15 billion in property damage. The underlying cause of the disaster? Unsafely stored ammonium nitrate that denoted.

Six years earlier Lebanese authorities confiscated a cargo of 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate from the ship MV Rhosus. That’s the equivalent of around 1.1 kilotons of TNT! The Lebanese authorities then stored the ammonium nitrate in a port warehouse and promptly forgot about it for six years. It was a tragedy that could have been prevented. 

What happened in Beirut serves as a powerful metaphor for our most intense experiences of anger. When something crosses our will, it connects with something explosive inside of us, something we might have forgotten about or not even be aware of, and then BOOM! We are seized by a fiery and explosive anger.  

Anger is the explosion that happens when someone or something pushes our buttons. Let’s ask Jesus to shrink our buttons and reduce the fuel they activate. 

Let’s also invite Him to bring light to any hidden or forgotten ‘explosives’ for our anger. These explosives might look like an unhealed wound, an unmet need, or an internalized lie. They might look like unresolved conflict, unaddressed shame, sin, or guilt. Even if we don’t explode externally in anger, we might do so internally, harming our own physical, mental, and spiritual health as well as our relationships. 

Outbursts of anger are often disproportionate to the cues we experience. Someone may say something rather innocent to us and all of a sudden we go from calm to furious, instantly becoming a human torch. When that happens, it is because there is something hidden in us that has been activated by those circumstances. It is as if someone stepped on a landmine and you are the explosion. Maybe a friend accidentally steps on your toe. Your response will be far more extreme if your toe is already broken, right? Your response will be much more significant because of the injury, the wounding, the unhealed pain. 

As you dig deep into hard stuff, remember that you are not alone. Jesus is for you. Invite Jesus to be your bomb squad and your medic. He may uncover something painful that needs to be addressed and that’s okay. He is the Great Physician of heart, mind, body and soul. 

Prayer: Search me and know my heart, O God. See if there are any hurtful ways in me and lead me in life everlasting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Email Jeff

Share this with a friend:

By Patty Kamahele, Administrative Assistant

I wrote a devotional in August of 2020 called In His Time and would like to share with you again parts of it here, with some new thoughts at the end of it.

The First Prez staff received a note from a church member expressing how the devotionals are used in her life and at the end she wrote, “He makes all things beautiful in His time.” Wow! For a couple of reasons that stopped me in my tracks. One was because my husband sang the song, “In His Time” as I walked down the aisle at our wedding many years ago. (He recorded it ahead of time because he felt he wouldn’t be able to sing it live due to the special emotions of that day). It turned out so beautiful and that song will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Another reason was that it caused me to reflect on that very verse found in Ecclesiastes 3:11 which says, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”

When we were married that beautiful Maui day, we couldn’t possibly see the scope of what God had planned for us…and still has planned. In the same way, we cannot see the whole scope of God’s work in the midst of what we may be going through individually, as a country, and as Christians seeking to follow Him. We only need to trust that He has a plan. That He can make beauty out of ashes. That He can strengthen us in our walks with Him. That everything is in His time.

I’m repeating that portion of my August 20th devotional because little did I know at the time, but less than one month after writing it, that my husband would be in the hospital with a massive stroke. And a month later, he would go to be with his Lord.

Reading these words again brought me back to that time and has caused me to ask myself, “Do I still trust the Lord? Do I trust that He has a plan?” It’s easy to answer that when all around me is well. But what happens when life doesn’t turn out as expected? When trials, pain, or sorrow hits? 

As difficult as it is without my husband, yes, I believe the Lord still has a plan for me. All He asks is that I continue to trust Him … to be assured that He loves me … and to understand that He truly cares for me.

Today may you be encouraged and assured that He feels the same way about you. Jesus deeply loves you … and the Cross reveals that immense love.

Do you trust that He has a plan for you?

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have a plan for each of us. As the saying goes, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.” Let us trust in You, cling to You, and put our faith in You that you love us beyond what words can express. May we entrust our lives into Your hands anew … knowing that there are no better loving hands to be in. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Email Patty

Share this with a friend:

By David Free, Deacon

“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Mark 1:17)

This is a tough one for me. I have to confess that I really have a problem applying these verses to my everyday life. I interpret them to mean that, to be a true follower of Christ, I should talk to others about my faith in Jesus, so they too can 

The problem is, I am not comfortable talking about Jesus to strangers. You people, fine; I love talking about Jesus with my church family. I guess I feel the fishing part is more of the preacher’s job. But yet I have an ex-fraternity roommate who does exactly what Jesus asked His disciples Andrew and Simon to do––he goes to the mall, the beach, anywhere he finds people and invites them to experience Jesus. I also have strangers come to my door offering to share the word of Jesus. I have people on the internet doing the same.

So what’s wrong with me?

Well, I went looking for an interpretation of these verses. Something that might tell me whether or not I should be going out in public, stopping people and telling them about the glory of God’s world. What I found was that Jesus wants me to help Him bring others into the Kingdom, but I don’t necessarily have to be a fisherman by personally approaching people. I just need to love Him and obey like Simon and Andrew did as they threw down their nets and followed Him. 

I discovered that I might not be a fisherman like the two of them, but I am useful to Jesus in other ways, ways in which I have been gifted and blessed, ways that bring about the Kingdom of God to others simply by my demeanor, my presence, my Christ-like attitude. Now I understand, that's my net, that’s how I fish. 

I would like to close with a poem written by my eldest nephew, Bruce Bartman. It tells of a woman who is desperately trying to cast her net, hoping for a big catch. Although I feel inadequate to do what she is attempting, I admire her immensely for her act!

Penance
The light pushes slowly up,
its surge spilling over the horizon
like bright water edging over
a dark dam's verge.
At one corner of a wide crossroad,
upon the dirt and stones
a woman unfolds a table and places a speaker box
atop it, her tiny chapel nearly complete.
Along the edges of the table she tapes
paper banners proclaiming
"Jesus is Life" and "His Word Redeems."
She clicks on the speaker and takes up the microphone.
The traffic's torrent roars this way and then that
while she begins speaking aloud His words
which whirl like fallen leaves
in that wild river's flow.
And so she sings, nearly drowned in the surge,
for hours, fervently casting the net.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let us be fishers of people in the ways You have blessed us. Let us cast our nets and help bring them closer to You, into Your presence. Through the name of the One we follow, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Email David Free

Share this with a friend:

By Paul Zukunft, Session Elder

Luke 17:11 “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humbled themselves will be exalted.”

This is such a simple yet profound passage spoken by Christ our Lord, and I expect we all know someone who epitomizes these same attributes of a humble servant. As I reflect upon my 45 years of service in the Coast Guard, where one’s uniform grows more glitter like rings around a tree with each passing year, I confess that I was guilty of growing self-importance and not living up to the words in this passage.

But one particular humble servant, with whom I served, helped me to recalibrate and be a better servant leader. That humble servant is named Corey. He was 23 years-old at the time and a junior petty officer in the Coast Guard (an E-4 for those with military backgrounds). 

Corey is an aviation survival technician, and more aptly put, one who jumps out of a perfectly good helicopter to rescue mariners in distress. 

Every year the Coast Guard is honored at a gala event at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, which is attended by luminaries far and wide to pay tribute to a select member of the Coast Guard and serves as a fund-raising platform for charitable causes. There are more than 5,000 people in attendance and the audio visual presentation rivals that of our David Chang to loop in tens of thousands virtual attendees.

Corey was the Coast Guard honoree in 2015. The previous year, Corey saved 13 lives during multiple rescue missions. It is a miracle that he not only survived each of those missions, but saved each and every person whose life was in imminent peril. On one rescue case, Corey swam into a sea cave off the north coast of California that was being slammed with 20-foot waves at night and in limited visibility. Corey was able to extract two hypothermic survivors who were hauled up to a helicopter and lived to see another day.

On another rescue, six competitive athletes were attempting to row across the Pacific Ocean when their boat capsized. They were so far offshore that the helicopter could only lift four of the six athletes to avoid running out of fuel before making landfall. So Corey was left behind in the open ocean, treading water with the 2 remaining survivors for the next six hours until the next helicopter arrived on scene at first light in the morning. By that time, these two survivors had made their peace with God, who they had never before acknowledged, while Corey provided words of encouragement and hope and that they would live to have children and grandchildren. Without incident, Corey and the survivors were plucked from the sea.

Fast forward. At the awards banquet, the two survivors provided their testimony, and those two hulking and muscular men were choked with tears and could barely utter the words with such heartfelt emotion, “If not for Corey, we would not be standing here today, and we would not have rededicated our lives to Jesus Christ.” There was not a dry eye in the house.

For the grand finale, Corey is called to the stage. Al Roker was the master of ceremonies and asked Corey to share his experience in detail. And these were Corey’s exact words: “I am a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. It’s what I am trained to do. And I just happened to have duty on those days.” And then without hesitating, he walked off the stage.

Crickets! You could hear a pin drop in the Marriott Marquis until a single applause turned into a crescendo. A member of Congress quipped to me, “No wonder you can’t get the budget you need. Your people are far too humble!”

Well, budget or not, that, my friends, is a humble servant and whose lead I followed from that point on in my military service.

And there is and will never be a more shining example of a humble servant than God incarnate, Jesus Christ; riding into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, and not a princely stallion, while throngs greeted Him shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 

Let’s follow and praise Him.

Prayer: Lord, I confess my shortcomings in acquiescing to vain glory that feeds upon itself and brings no glory to You and to others. It’s as though I am learning to walk all over again, yet this time in the shoes of a humble servant following the example of the many other humble servants to include people like Corey, and epitomized by You. Amen.

Email Paul Zukunft

Share this with a friend:

By Scott Schultz (Elder) and Marianne Schultz (Deacon)

Proverbs 1:23 (NLT) Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.

[Scott] Sometimes people ask us for marriage advice or “our secret” to apparent bliss. I hesitate to answer this for several reasons, primarily because I am unable to elucidate such an improbable and inexplicable blessing. So, I usually make some lighthearted comment and “point” to Marianne (aka MEWS) and God. And strive to let her (and Him) have the last word.

“Long long time ago…” (thanks, Don McLean), specifically, July 3, 1982, when our (Reverend) Uncle Bob (my Mom’s brother) joined us in marriage, aided by his wonderful wife Aunt Bobbie. 

Before marrying us, Bob typed three letters which served as pre-marital counseling (sent via US Mail from Buffalo NY to Evanston IL), and required us to write back! We saved these letters and have shared them with a few young people, since they contain timeless wisdom. Aunt Bobbie was fully present in his words and added her own to the third letter. Here are a few excerpts:

January 17, 1982: "The Commitment…is the important part…saying to one another that, with the caring of God as your constant guide, you will love and cherish and stay with one another come what may. The Celebration… (is when) you and all present want to express the joy that you will feel and all will feel.”

May 13, 1982: "All I can say to you both is that what you have expressed is a wonderful way to start - and your caring for each other is the best resource you can have for the testing years ahead. And you will have them - not so much in crises, which often serve to draw people together - but in inevitable fading, in boredom, in growing apart. How you deal with this will determine your marriage. And how you deal with others will determine, ultimately, the meaning of your lives." 

June 1982: "Two things you ought to know from my three letters - I believe in life and in marriage as the finest possible fulfillment of life, potentially at least. I believe in both of you and am overjoyed to be part of this most important beginning Celebration of your life together. There is a great Hebrew word, Shalom, which encompasses all of the best of life now and in the days ahead, among you and among all peoples everywhere. And so, in expectancy may I wish you ahead of the time ... Love and Shalom, Your Uncle Bob” 

Here is the only passage Uncle Bob quoted (hint – it’s “the secret”):

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

[MEWS] Our wedding day had arrived! The hotel was perfect for the ceremony and reception. Uncle Bob and Aunt Bobbie really had hoped we would have a church setting, so they decided to do it themselves! There they were, building a little altar for us. How lovely of them! I had no wedding planner or videographer; I did it myself with some help from my mom. (Scott: I stayed out of the way.) On that day I heeded Bob’s words, for I certainly was not anxious. Their real worth was evident from beginning to end and remains so 39 years later.

The wise advice given to us 39 years ago coincided with Uncle Bob and Aunt Bobbie’s 39th anniversary. He wrote eloquently of the reason “church” was so important but fading from the lives of young people. Both truly hoped that we would not “do life” alone but find community and family within a church. Little did we know back then that in 2010 we would come upon such a wonderful combination at First Prez Honolulu. 

Uncle Bob passed away in 2009. I wish he could have seen our joy in finding just what he hoped when we found true joy within a faith-based family. I am sure he and Bobbie are rejoicing in heaven. With our love and the support of the church to nurture our faith and strengthen us in all situations, we are truly blessed. Indeed, as he said it takes 10-15 minutes to affirm love to each other in a marriage. 

He wrote: “…you will somehow grow to love each other with a greater depth twenty or thirty or more years from now than you do at this moment - those brief 10 minutes will sum it all up and include both personal and religious faith and the need for affirming it in community church.” 

How right he was! With Scott by my side, we are an amazing team full of faith, love, friendship, and commitment to serving God in many ways with fulfilling joy!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift and blessing of marriage. Help us to share the blessings of Your love as given through Jesus, reflect Your light, and walk humbly with each other and You every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

Email Scott and Marianne Schultz

Share this with a friend:

By Lauren Stein, Session Elder

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:12-13)

Growing up, I often misunderstood the Ten Commandments as being a 10-point assignment on which I could earn a passing grade. I subconsciously assumed that as long as I abide by most of the commands, then I am good to go. I mean a 7 out of 10 is still a passing grade, right? 

But that is not how the commandments work. James 2, verse 10 says that “whoever keeps the whole law but fails at one point has become accountable for all of it.” There is part of me that balks at that idea. It seems unfair that I can abide by nine commandments and yet it isn’t enough. It is an uncomfortable thought to think that I am as guilty and as sinful as someone who has killed another person.

The truth is that that uncomfortable thought is the foundation of the joy and good news of the Gospel. My inability to earn salvation and eternal life underlines my need for a Savior in Jesus Christ. If I could earn salvation by abiding by most of the commandments, then that would minimize the sacrifice of Jesus’ life on the cross. 

When God gave Israel the Ten Commandments, He was promising His provision and explaining the obligations that Israel would need to uphold. It described how they would be loyal to God, honor Him with their time, and worship Him with their lives. I think God knew that Israel and all of humanity would fall short of these commands. He knew that on our own, we could never fulfill these obligations, and because of that, a penalty would need to be paid. He knew that would be necessary because He is a righteous judge. 

But He is also gracious and merciful, so He had a plan. He would send His only begotten Son to pay the penalty. With His blameless life, Jesus fulfilled the obligations of the Ten Commandments. With His death, Jesus paid the penalty owed by humanity. By fulfilling both the obligations and the penalty, He freed us to receive the full provision and protection of God the Father. This understanding that I am deserving of judgment, but I have been given grace and mercy, is what compels me to both evangelism and good works. 

James 2:12-13 reminds us that in all that we do or say, we need to remember that all are accountable and judged by the same law. It can be easy to become focused on how others are falling short. It is easy to see what is in front of us without ever looking at what is inside of us. But the Bible is clear. We are to show mercy just as we have been shown mercy. In the following verses, James continues on to describe the relationship of faith and works. While our good works cannot earn us eternal life, it should be done out of the overflow of gratitude that we feel for His mercy in the face of judgment. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus as a living sacrifice for my sins. Your mercy overwhelms me and rest in that. I pray that every word and deed would come out of the overflow of gratitude in my heart.  Make me aware of where You are at work in the world and how I can join You in Your Kingdom work. Amen.

Email Lauren Stein

Share this with a friend:

By Al Linton, Session Elder

Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)

I will call on You, my God, for You will answer me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 17:6)

Did you get my voicemail? Didn’t you get my text? I sent it an hour ago!

We live in an age where we expect instant answers to our calls. Communicating with each other has evolved tremendously throughout history––from smoke signals to pony express, to the telegraph and  posted mail. Back then mail could take weeks to be delivered, especially overseas. No instant gratification back then. And then came what is probably the most life-changing form of communication: the telephone.

The telephone has evolved since then, and changed our lives. Today we can communicate in an instant via text, email, FaceTime, and, yes, you can even use your phone to make phone calls too.

In the early days of pagers, back in the ‘80s, I had a voice pager. It didn’t show phone numbers, but it kept voice messages. One morning I got a message from a lady whose voice I didn’t recognize, except that she wasn’t leaving a message for me but for someone named Mike. The message was, “Mike, this is Vicki, please call me.” No phone number. I could not call her to tell her she had the wrong number. By the end of the day, she had paged me six times and sounded more and more frustrated by the last call. I felt sorry for Mike wondering what would happen when they finally connected!

So, a couple of things: Be patient in your communications, texting, etc. Some of us don’t carry our phones with us 24/7. Also, make sure you have the right number! 

Similarly, I encourage you to be patient when communicating with God. As followers of Jesus, we have a direct line (and the right number) to God the Father through prayer. He will answer our calls. But sometimes we have to be patient. I’ve had some instant answers from God and some calls that took years to answer. But I do know He’s listening and will answer my call, and He will answer yours, too.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to be patient with the ways we communicate with others and with You. And help us to remember that our communication with you will always be heard and answered in Your time. In Jesus name, Amen

Email Al LInton

Share this with a friend: