Got Prayer? (A Team Request)

I'm feeling the enemy trying to attack me, and I know for certain that the enemy wants nothing more than for the team to be bogged down or even just less hope filled for our mission to Japan. But as we spend tomorrow(Wed) fasting, I believe that God is going to do a mighty thing within us. I welcome it, and so as the team fasts tomorrow I'm asking for intercessors to join us in prayer through out the day for an even greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we minister in Japan.

Pray for:

• God's love to be placed upon our hearts for the Japanese people in a real and passionate way.
  

• Divine/Angelic protection from the enemies schemes

• The leading of the Holy Spirit in all Power

• An even Greater sense of unity within the team

• Salvation! For Jesus to be known!

• And for the many encounters we'll have with those in Japan! Jesus met people for but a moment, and in that moment changed peoples lives forever! May it be the same for every member this team! Please pray that over us... It only comes about by the Power of the Holy Spirit!

Got Prayer?

"Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." - Joshua 3:5

I Want It All

As I wrapped up my quiet time this morning and began strumming my guitar, I began to sing this song. I feel the Holy Spirit moving so powerfully through our team, and I know that He's going to do amazing things in Japan. But, as I learned in the book of Joshua, I want to obey Him and follow Him because God knows best. Who am I to think that I know any better? I want God to reveal His glory and power through me and our team!

Words & Music by Shane Barnard
Use me, break me, waste me on You, Lord
Ruin me, take me, waste me on You
For to die is to live

To starve is to feast
And less of me is more of Jesus
Lord, I want it all
Lord, I want it all
If I lose my life I gain everything
And at the cross,a way with all death's sting
Lord, I want it all
Lord, I want it all

There is power in the blood
There is victory in Jesus
Come in power, wash me clean
Overwhelm me with Your presence

There is power in the blood
There is victory in Jesus
There is glory in the cross
Help me find my gain in loss

Amazing things are about to happen!

Yesterday God spoke powerfully to me about consecrating myself before our mission in Japan.

Title: "Consecrate thy self"

S.cripture: Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." - Joshua 3:5

O.bservation: I really feel like this is what God is speaking over my team as we head out to Japan this Friday! God is certain to do Great and Wonderful works in and through our team. So now is the time for us to really consecrate ourselves before the Lord as we prepare ourselves in these last few days.

A.pplication: When we fast this Wednesday, I need to make sure that I'm focused in on the Lord, worshiping Him and praying with all my heart for Japan.

P.rayer: "Father, I love you and I long to be intimate with you. I want nothing more than all of you. So would you fill me up once again with a greater portion of you. Be blessed! Would you enjoy my praise, for I long to bring you joy. Help me as well to find favor in your eyes. Amen!"

Spiritual warfare

I do remember that i was under spiritual attack when we prepared for the Garden J-mission in 2007. Whenever i praised Him, i felt satan got jealous and tried to attack me in many ways. He tried to discourage me in really sneaky ways because he didn't want the mission happen. I prayed for God's protection upon me intensely.

A few weeks before our departure, after i attended a prayer meeting, i got a hit-and-run. A guy hit my car in real and just ran away. I was so shocked and felt discouraged. However, on that night, i realized that God protected me in that situation! Even though i was a bit discouraged and got emotional, i was physically okay! My car got some small scratches but it didn't need to be fixed. I started shouting, "Thank you for protecting me!"
and i also said, "Thank you for this hit-and-run! You showed me how much you care for me!!!"

I also have to admit that i had some anxieties about my motherland. "Is Japan open to Gospel now? What if it is still as dark as when i was searching for Jesus two decades ago? " That was the way i felt when i was thinking of spirituality in Japan before i went on Japan mission in 2007.
However, after this hit-and-run, i was overwhelmed by His grace and i believed He cared about the people in Japan and the nation Japan. I was excited.

During the mission, God showed me in many ways that He really cares about the people in Japan and the nation Japan. That country was not the same one i was struggling to search for Jesus 20 years ago. I cried when God showed me that He built church in the same town i could not find any church 20 years ago. He took me to exactly the same spot a book store used to be. I bought my first Bible at the bookstore when i could not find any church in that town. 20 years later, he took me to show what He did. "Hiro, i built church on the same spot you bought your first Bible after you gave up finding church in this town 20 years ago"

This year, i have been fighting my fatigue. I have to wrap up some stuffs at work before i go on mission so i have been quite busy. However, I feel joy and excitement this time. Because I know He protects me and He will show His love for my motherland.

His kingdom is coming..... and his will be done.

Japan, here we come!

Emily was born to go to Japan. Here's a little outfit she threw together.

God-sized Assigment

Wow! Less than 2 weeks away. I can't believe time has passed by so quickly. I am brewing with excitement and anticipation of what God will do in Japan. Just read in Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God:

"The kind of assignment God gives in the Bible are always God-sized. They are always beyond what people can do because He wants to demonstrate His nature, His strength, His provision, and His kindness to His people and to a watching world. This is the only way the world will come to know Him."

Thank you, Lord, that the assignment you have for us in Japan is not our size but God-sized. Increase our faith so that we have faith like David, who defeated Goliath with his child-like faith, to defeat the spiritual Goliaths in Japan.

the winner is.......

i can't believe in less than 2 weeks we will be leaving for Japan.
WOWZA time sure does fly~
i don't think it has fully hit me yet.. hehe

as our departure slowly approaches, lets put on the armor of God and stand firm against attacks from the devil. it is easy to fall into Satans lies, but lets look past these lies through our Fathers eyes. Lets have hope and faith for the VICTORY is already won and .......the crown belongs to OUR FATHER. xD
"Fight the Good fight of the faith" 1 Timothy 6:12

lets continue to pray for Japan, one another, and our own hearts <3

Too much good stuff.

I believe that God is great, and all things capable, and that His love will never run dry... But sometimes I am in disbelief of this belief and can't believe He's that good. YA HEAR ME?! I've been reading Romans- too much good stuff!
Im wondering how God will speak during those 2 weeks in Japan- and even afterward. Will it be through circumstances? Will it be through the students we meet? Will it be through the small but ever devout church that we're partnering with? I am always in disbelief in God's goodness and how He comes.
Romans 10: ¹Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the JAPANESE is that they may be saved. ²For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. ³Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. ⁴Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
We're getting ready- but until the 2 weeks are up, we have no idea what will come. The Lord already knows who is going to open up, who is going to be curious, who is going to show up, who is going to accept this born-again life. We just have to be willing, ready, humble, and available. And most of all- pray.

Guard what's Entrusted

My team is using the SOAP method of doing devotions as a team. We're following a bible reading plan together, and today's passage came across 1 Tim. 6:20. It says, "O Timothy(happens to be my middle name) guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding Worldly and empty chatter..." As I read this today, I really felt God speaking directly towards me about two things I need to make sure i'm doing as a leader. These are, Praying for my teams protection and truly Loving each person. What a timely word as we're heading off to Japan in less than two weeks! So i pray,

"Father God, I thank you for this word, and for all that you've allowed me to serve you in. I pray now that you'd be with each member of my team and keep them safe with all blessings and your anointing. I also pray for Love to excel in and through each person of this team, for the building up of one another and the spreading of your Love to the people we meet in Japan. I love you God and I pray that our witness now and in Japan would be like a sweet fragrance to you. Amen"

Let All Peoples Praise Him

AHH! 11 more days, and we're off on an airplane to Japan. There are many mixed emotions running through my heart right now. Emotions, like excitement and anxiousness, that summarize the idea of not really knowing what to expect once in Japan. However, during my quiet times with Him, He gently brings me back and reminds me that the purpose is clear. The purpose, being that it is HIS purpose, is for the people of all nations will praise Him. He gave us this promise. Now all we need to do is follow it. I pray that I, myself and the team would follow God's leading during this time of preparation for Japan. He has equipped us with tools to minister to the people of Japan. It is now up to us to use those tools effectively and powerfully.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 16:13

God's business trip

A few months ago, my first daughter Nicole referred to our mission trip to Japan this summer as 'God's business trip'. Hearing this fresh perspective on missions from my 8 year old made me smile. I want to go as God's agent, doing God's business. I see why God has a special place in his heart for children. I need to continue to have that child-like faith.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Matt 5:8

Body worship - sorta

In case you were wondering what Bryan was talking about...

^{THE MESSAGE; Romans8: 22-25}All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
One of my favorite things to do is read the "Wonderful World" section on MSNbc.com. But oddly, I also end up reading the Crime and Courts section also, and very quickly my happy mood becomes sour and bitter at ignorant, selfish, lowly people. I'm just like WHYYYYYYY!????? It's liks sack cloth and ashes, if yaknowwhudamean. It's everywhere- on the news, on the radio, online, worldwide. But ya know, my anxiety doesn't last very long because the story doesnt end there. We, as the body of Christ, have hope. We can have hope, because our God is one that is worthy of our trust. In everything in this life, our Father is the only one we can be expectant of- not in how He will work, but in Him as He is. He is greater than all the disasters, terrorism, war, hatred, greed and unnecessary death in the world- they are "birth pangs." Though painful, something good is to come- He has promised to deliver. His Son even conquered death- the physical and spiritual- I dont think it gets much more awesome than that. So as we wait for that day, let's not wait with weak hearts but with hearts looking beyond the pain.

A Prayer

Dear Lord,
I lift up our team up to you. I pray for our hearts to be fully open and prepared for your work.
As we await the days upon our departure, may you equip us with your words of wisdom and guidance. You have given us this mission for a purpose to each and everyone of us. Allow us to empty ourselves fully before you just as Jesus emptied himself by taking form of a servant. I am reminded that it's only when we forget ourselves that we do the things that deserve to be remembered. May we take this to heart with us to Japan, as we serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. I am reminded once again, how you never forsake us even when we ourselves don't fully commit to you in our daily lives. Forgive me Lord, for not surrendering whole heartedly to you Lord.
We were made for a mission. May we live, act, and speak as your disciples. Bind us with love, unity, patience, and compassion. We love you, seek you, and eagerly await for your task.
I pray this in all your glorious name,
Amen.

J-Team Shirt have been ordered!!!

Here's what the T-shirt will look like! I know it's hard to tell what it looks like from the picture, but come next week, you'll see the shirts in person! Woo hoo!!!

-Justin

Core Issues

As the time for us to go to Japan quickly approaches, I keep thinking of all the things we need to do, to learn, to avoid, and my head is swimming in a sea of random thoughts, lists of to-dos, and principles. So I keep trying to simplify what is the most important thing? Is it getting down the language, or our memorizing our body worship so we don't mess up? Maintaining consistent QT's etc. So after repeatedly trying to narrow down the list I got it down to one thing to do and 2 questions to ask. The one thing to do is to be close to Jesus and sit at his feet. I have to resist the temptation to do more like Martha and simply sit at Jesus feet. In spending time with Jesus, people will be drawn to Christ emmanating from me. But as we learned in Perspectives, good intentions are not enough. Missionaries with the best of intentions have turned people away from the Gospel by inadvertantly offending people. Why didn't Jesus just come down as a man? He had to become one of us to relate to us in a way we could understand. Like Paul says in 1 Cor 9:22 he became "all things to all men so that by all possible means" he "might save some". So the 2 questions I need as a barometer to judge how I should use my time (which is quickly becoming scarce) is "will this draw people to Christ?" and "will failure to this push people away from Christ?" So will people exclaim "what must i do to be saved?" because I am so Beyonce-esque in my body worship? haahaha, obviously not. But if I can't be compassionate with my patients who I see 50 weeks a year as opposed to the people in Japan I see for just 2 weeks a year, will my witness be hurt? I think so. So God help me focus in on the core issues, and not be distracted by the logistics.

1 Corinthians 12:14-27

When i had a QT last night, reading 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 really reminded me of our J-team. We all are different in many ways and that is how God made us. We have different talents, skills, ethnicity.... but all things belong to Him, not to us.

"Now we are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it" Yes! we are part of the body He made for His purpose. " And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different tongues"
What if we all were made in exactly the same way, could we work? What if we all were eyes? We would need other body parts to survive.

Through last few trainings, I felt God was bringing us a team unity for His purpose. I am glad to see us building a team unity little by little through what we have participated in. I am very excited to be used by Him for His purpose for Japan.

I still remember my mother, who is non-believer, asked me, "why do you guys (2007 J-team) get along so well?" She sensed the team bond while we spent some time with her in Tokyo. I answered her, "Mom, because we have Christ in center". She looked at me and said, "oh, okay, i see". I know she didn't understand what i meant completely, but i know i made her curious.

Lord, i am so honored to be a part of "the body"

To the Lord

" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God." Romans 14:11

This morning, in my quiet time, God reminded me again in Romans 14 the reason for our short-term missions trip. It is foolish to think that we live for ourselves. One, who believes, should live for the Lord. In verses 5-8, Paul mentions "to the Lord" six times. Verse 8 says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." It is because of Christ dying and resurrecting that we have been saved. Our purpose in life should be aligned with God's, which is clearly stated in verse 11. All will come to know Him and give Him praise.

Once again, I am deeply humbled by God's grace. As I, and the team, prepare for our short-term missions trip to Japan I am reminded the reason for going. My personal goals are secondary to God's purpose and plan for the people of Japan. My prayer is that the people we meet will be curious about our faith. Many seeds will be planted.

Jiminy Cricket

Romans 2:11- For God does not show favoritism.
If I were in a position of power, of course I'd love those who love me back, and favor those who praise me, and give gifts to those who honor me with sacrifice and glory. But for the other ppl ... I could care less or even worse, try to ruin their lives!!!!!!!! (dramatic? I think not).
God is Good.. and He shows it in so many ways. He helps His people when they don't deserve it. I'm getting a better understanding of why Paul is not disheartened through harsh circumstances. I know a little bit more as to why we always say God is victorious, and that He has won the battle. And though our group may be enduring trials individually, I know that it will not disrupt our trip to Japan.
Romans 8: ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
I'm very relieved to know that the HS intercedes on our behalf, bc he knows we don't know what to pray for at times. We don't know what's ahead, we don't know how to overcome struggle, we don't know how to live righteously. the HS is like our lil Jiminy Cricket.

copyGOD

As we take this bold step to go to Japan...
lets show God's love to his people by imitating HIS love to one another AND the Japanese people as He has for us.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2


It is so easy to get caught up in all the legistics...
lets try keep each other accountable by encouraging and praying for one another. xD
YAY TEAM JAPAN 09

Yoos us in Japan, Lord

Emily, our second daughter, is in kindergarten. She has been learning to read and write this year. I noticed recently that she spells the word 'use' as 'yoos'. I found it amusing (and adorable so I haven't had the heart to correct her), and gleaned a little bit of spiritual truth from it. We want to be yoos-ed by God. We are so excited to be going to Japan this particular year with this particular team. We have heard of how God has been moving in Japan and we are excited to see it for ourselves and participate in it. One verse that has been speaking to me is from Romans 10.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Father's Gentle Tap

Tap, tap, tap... the little girl, L, turns and sees her father smiling and motioning her to come to him. She smiles and playfully extends her arms, just enough to touch the tips of his fingers, and lays on the floor before him (as if she is bowing/adoring/worshiping).

Without words, great love was being transferred between this father and daughter.
Immediately, my heart was filled with warm fuzzy feelings.

Just then... I felt a gentle tap on my right shoulder. I could feel Him smiling and motioning me to come to Him. Overwhelming spirit of love flooded my heart and I couldn't help but thank Him and worship Him.

I pray that the people of Japan will encounter Our Loving Father. Please join me.

Contemporary Japan

Today was the fourth Japan short-term missions trip meeting. With only 3 more actual meetings to go, the weeks to prepare only seem to be going by faster. I am feeling anxious and excited for what God has in store for us. My prayer through the preparation is that I stay focused on the task at hand - giving glory, obeying, and spending quality time with God.

This past weekend, I finally picked up a book called, Contemporary Japanby Duncan McCargo. I felt that I needed more insight and a better understanding of the Japanese culture and the Japanese people. As I thumbed through the book, I naturally went toward the chapter about family structure. The facts were alarming, and a bit sad to say the least. McCargo writes that it is rare for a Japanese wife or child to see their husband or father regularly. Japanese men are bound by their companies and is hardly ever home. A common Japanese saying is that "a good husband is healthy but absent." The author left nothing to the imagination about the effects it might have on the members of the family, and their relationships with one another. As I also learned today during our training, the idea of a father and son relationship is nearly non-existent.

However, as an encouragement, I was reminded of the couples and families we will be meeting from the New Communities Church in Japan. It was then that God showed me how the Spirit is touching lives in Japan. Although it is "rare for husbands and wives to entertain other couples at home, or to meet them for evenings out," I knew that through the church there and the events we have planned, that they would be a cause for forming relationships and getting to know families that break the norm in Japan. The team is able to stay with home-stays, many of whom are non-Christians, and neighbors of the church members there. As it is the prayer request of the New Church Community, as well as mine, we pray that this would spark questions and conversations about Christianity. And, hopefully, we can share a lot of the love of God to the children and families that we will meet in Japan.

Eternal encounters

This week has been so busy, but in the midst of this busy time, I've been just reminded of where my heart should be in training to go to Japan. I have to admit, amongst the many things that I've been called on to do, I've allowed myself to be lazy in the things that need to be done. But after a kick in the butt during one of my devotions, I've come to understand that I can't be lax, I need to be focused and responsible with what's been given to me. So I'm excited, really really excited to train with this team to really be in the presences of the Lord each time we meet and to be praying not only for us but those we'll be encountering in Japan. It struck me yesterday while thinking about this Japan trip, that the only way we as a team are going to reach these students and encourage the church there during our short stay is to move in the same power and anointing that Jesus had while encountering many individuals for only brief moments. For Jesus only spent brief moments with most of those he encountered, and yet in his anointing by the Spirit was able to change lives. Let me reiterate, "With only brief encounters, Jesus changed lives!" Amen?! May it be for this team, that we'd walk in that same anointing.