Robin White

25 Jan 2012

Luke 3:1-17

"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (v. 8)

Real repentence isn't just feeling sorry for our sins, but turning from it and choosing to live differently. It means to follow Jesus and live in a way that produces "fruit" -- brings positive results to our lives and the lives of those around us.

It's interesting to note here that when his audience asks him what they should do, the kind of fruit John tells them to produce is all related to money and possessions. He says, for example, "The man who has two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." (v. 11) And throughout the gospels, Jesus too comes back to this idea again and again.

I guess Jesus and John both knew that how we use our money and possessions shows our priorities, our hearts. Their example and teaching point us toward living as simply as possible so that we can more freely give and serve.

This is a pretty big challenge to our modern, materialistic ways of living. Are we letting society influence us into confusing our needs with selfish desires? Or are we willing to follow the way of Christ and live more simply, with less stuff, so that we can give more to help those in need?

Father God, I have everything I need, and then some. Thank You for providing for my needs. Teach me to use what I have in a way that honors You and furthers Your Kingdom.

(Sent from my iPad)

22 Jan 2012

Luke 2:1-20

I love now eager the shepherds in this story are. After they heard about Jesus, they quickly went to see Him for themselves. And after seeing Him, they quickly spread the word to others. And they returned home praising God for the things they'd seen and heard.

I want to be more like these shepherds, seeking to experience more of Jesus, eagerly sharing the good news with others, and praising God enthusiastically as I go about my daily life.

Lord, my prayer today is that You will deepen my desire to know You, to share You and to worship You.

21 Jan 2012

Luke 1:67-80

Here Zechariah reminds us that God fulfills His promises. Today I'm thankful for our faithful and trustworthy God. May I be found faithful to Him.

神様が約束を果たしてくださるのは思い出されました。今日、頼もしきて信頼できる神様を感謝しています。私も頼もしい人になりますように。

20 Jan 2012

Luke 1:57-66

「すると、立ちどころにザカリヤの口が開けて舌がゆるみ、話り出して神ほめたたえた。」(64)

私も早く神様をほめたたえたい。祝福をいただいたら、感謝で応えますように。朝、起きたときの最初の考え方と言葉は賛美になりますように。

"Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God." (vs. 64)

Zechariah's first words after the birth of his son John and the receiving of his voice back were words of praise. He obviously recognized God's blessings when he saw them. I want to be quick to praise God as well. When I receive a blessing, may my response be to thank Him, and when I wake up in the morning, may my first thought, my first words, be to praise Him. He is worthy!

19 Jan 2012

Luke 1:39-56

"Blessed us she who has said that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" (Luke 1:45)

Mary was blessed. And as she reflected in the poem recorded here, it's not because she was a great person, but because of God's grace. And in believing God's promises, she was able to receive those blessings.

Believing = blessed.

Lord, help me to believe Your promises today... and to live like I do, too.

18 Jan 2012

Luke 1:26-38

As the angel appears to Mary to give her the good news about Jesus, we're reminded that "his kingdom will never end" (vs. 33) and that "nothing is impossible with God." (vs. 37) These are big promises, and a reminder that as Believers we're a part of something much bigger than ourselves. We serve Someone much bigger than ourselves. Someone whose promises are true, who is faithful, who loves us.

My prayer today is that my response to this big, good God will be like Mary's: "I am the Lord's servant." (vs. 38)

17 Jan 2012

Luke 1:1-25

"But the angel of the Lord said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.'..." (Mark 1:13)

I am not very good at waiting. Like many of us, I have dreams and desires I've been praying about for a long time. And sometimes that's hard. I get frustrated. I get impatient.

But I haven't waited nearly as long as Zechariah and Elizabeth, who waited until they were old before the Lord finally enabled them to have a child. It had been such a long wait that Zechariah didn't believe it at first, even though an angel appeared to him to give him the news.

I'm reminded today to keep waiting, keep praying and keep believing God for the things I need, desire and dream about.

Thank You, Lord. Please help me to wait, and to wait well.

12 Jan 2012

Psalm 134

"Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.

Lift up holy hands in prayer,
and praise the Lord.

May the Lord, who made heaven and earth,
bless you from Jerusalem."

(Psalm 134:1-3 NLT)

This Psalm seems to be a prayer and an encouragement on behalf of those who ministered before the Lord in the Temple. It reminds me of two things: First, the importance for those of us in full-time ministry of not only leading others in worship, but worshiping God ourselves. And second, that we need people to praying for us and our ministries, praying God's blessing on us, as the singers of this song did for their priests.

I'm so thankful for the strong support base I have in North America, giving and praying so that I can serve in Japan. And I'm thankful, too, for my church family here in Nagoya, with whom I have the honour of serving God together, and who always pray for and encourage me.

7 Jan 2012

Friday Night's English Cafe

6 Jan 2012

Psalm 127

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

This verse is a good reminder as I start 2012 to not live or minister in my own efforts or according to my own plans, but to let God guide and empower me instead. May God build my life and ministry this year. If I build by myself, they will not be what they could be. I want His best instead.