We never know how God uses us to show Himself!

 Last Saturday I had TOEFL(Test Of English as a Foreign Language) test.  This test is the most widely respected English-language test in the world, recognized by more than 8,500 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries, including Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the United States and people who speaks English as their second language are required to have enough score to apply the university or college.

 Anyway this was my second time to try this test.  The first time was about four years ago.  I did remember that it was very difficult and I was so disappointment and discouraged.  I don't have any plan to apply to any school right now but as I always have a desire to study at Christian school, I wanted to see if God will open the door for me or show me His will for my next step.  

  It was a long test. (About 4 hours) Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing.  From the very beginning, I was not able to answer for any questions with any confidence.  It was just so DIFFICULT!!!  I started being discouraged.....  Satan started telling me some lies.  I stopped and prayed.  I was reminded why I wanted to take this test and that I decided to enjoy this test.  I told myself "You know what?  It really does not matter if I get a good score or not.  And you know what? Yes, my english may be not better than so many people who are taking this test.  But it is OK because I know that God gives me ENOUGH skill to be able to share His word & His love to others.  This is all matter to me!"  That brought me peace into my heart. :) 

 The very last two questions were for writing skill.  The first one, I had to read some article and listened to some lecture and then summarize them by writing.  It was very difficult and I even could not know how to answer.  I was just hoping that it gets over.  One more question.  The last question was  "Do you agree or disagree with the following statement.  Read it and explain why you agree/disagree.  You can answer from your experience or opinion".  This was the statement.  

 "The most important problems affecting today will be solved during my lifetime."

 The problems affecting today??  Immediately what came to my mind was "So many people does not know Jesus Christ which means they don't know the purpose of life.  And that has been affecting and causing many problems today!"  So I pointed one of biggest problem here in Japan "suicide" out as an example and started writing down whatever the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart.  I wondered for a moment what whoever read this would think and even if they would give me any points or not.  "It does not matter!!"  I just prayed that the Lord would be glorified by this answer.   I got pretty excited by being able to tell about Jesus!!  We NEVER know how God uses us to show Himself.  Whoever reads my answer may come to know Christ.  Who knows!  One scripture came to my mind.

 "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"     Colossians 3:17 

 I was full of joy after this test.  My life is still good even I could not get done well with my TOEFL test.  Finding the purpose of my life has totally changed my life.  I praise the Lord!      

   

I am 6 years old Christian!

 Today 21, October is my spiritual birthday.
6 years ago, I made a biggest decision I have ever made in my life to give my life to Christ.  I prayed with Paul&Stacy Cassidy who were the Lighthouse director back then and Mayumi Sorrels who is one of my Japanese sisters in Christ I met at the Lighthouse.  I was sitting exactly same place where I am sitting right now (Main living room at the Lighthouse, Yokosuka in Japan).  I remember that day and that moment just like it was yesterday.

 It has been 6 years.  I cannot imagine how my life would have been if I still did not know Him as my savior.  It is so true what some Christian friends told me. "Your daily life would not be perfect or better even you become a Christian".  There is always some trials & challenges in my daily life just as the life I had before I became a Christian.  So what is the difference?  Now I have a place to go when I feel lonely, when I am tired, when I cry... I have a best friend whom I can share everything with, I can laugh together, I can go anywhere together..... His name is Jesus. He gives me peace & joy I had never experienced before. Sometimes I can't feel He is right there with me or I can't see He is listening to me.  But I KNOW He is ALWAYS there with me and ALWAYS listening to me.  How do I know that?  I know that by remembering what He has done for me.  I believe that by faith. There was one time when I was angry with God.  But I have never wanted to run away from Him.  As I have tasted His great love, I will never want to run away from Him.  As David said in Psalm 63:3,"Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You."  I don't know any more how I can live without His love.

 I was reading a book of Luke this morning.  Luke 4:47 is a great one to describe my love to God.
Luke 7:47 "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much." 

 I don't deserve to receive anything God gives me.  But because of His great love, He gives me so many blessings. 

 I am only 6 years old Christian.  There are still so many things to learn. I know that for sure.  So many trials & challenges are waiting for me.  I know that too.  But I also know that my Savior, my Lord, my Father, my Best friend, Jesus is always with me. No matter where I go, He is going to be there and no matter what I do, He still loves me.  

 God has sent many many people into my life. I read some pastor said, "God send people to our lives to allow us to learn something and also to love".  I know that I could not be here without God but also I could not be here with out all people God has sent to my life.  So I want to thank you to all my friends & family as well!  



"Blessings"

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise