New Journey

Last month, Sister F was baptized and started a new journey as one in Christ. This journey is embarked on by faith. It is completely different from the former in which we didn’t know the purpose of life and tried to blend into the world by one’s own effort. That is because from now on, Jesus is with us to guide everything in life, support, encourage, give wisdom, courage, and love.

However, it does not mean that we can walk through life seeing and hearing Jesus sensibly. For without faith in Jesus, neither prayer, nor the Bible, nor the church can clearly guide our lives. Our lives are complicated, and there are many facts and troubles that we want to keep hidden. But for Sister F and us who have been baptized by faith, we have been given the Holy Spirit because of all that Jesus has done. Therefore, if we fix our eyes on Jesus and walk by faith, the Holy Spirit works within us as if in concert with that, giving us courage, love, strength, and wisdom that we cannot achieve on our own, and supporting us in our journey of faith.

Brother M returned to his hometown in Kyushu after 12 years in Osaka last month, Brother A is returned to the U.S. after experiencing church life in a foreign country Japan at AICF. Each of them seemed to be returning to their hometowns, but this is also the beginning of a new journey as their new chapter of life in faith. We who believe and walk in Christ are all on this journey of faith.

We are not alone. The Lord is walking with us. He is with us, whether we realize it or not,because Jesus promised it. The journey of faith is one new blessing after another. At first,they seem like mishaps and troubles. But don't worry. God will make everything a blessingto those who walk with Jesus by faith.

Pastor Takeshi