2024年12月

Emiri
In this week’s bible reading I learned from Psalms 37:1 “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;” and 3, “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” The do not fret and Trust in the LORD part stood out to me since this week I had finals, especially during my Euro final I was iffy on the DBQ as it was on a broad subject that we didn’t go over very much in class, so when I got the documents I wasn’t sure where to begin. But when I started answering each part I began to remember what we learned and that led on to the next answer. I learned that it is important to not worry and trust in God and he would lead me through the problem.

Jun re: Emiri
I learned that it is important to not worry and trust in God and he would lead me through the problem.
Most of your applications are about how you were able to do your homework or pass tests by trusting God. First of all, know that the curriculum is designed for you guys to pass! Secondly, if God is such a necessary part of being able to get through your academic life, are you sharing that truth with your classmates?

Did any of these verses in chapter 40 speak to you? Verses 9-10: “I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly” (not just privately in my heart or prayers) “I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.”

If God helps you or you receive blessings, he requires that all the glory be given back to him (e.g. if classmates or teachers commend you, how do you respond? how do you act?) and that you share what you receive with those around you.

むかい
今回の聖書朗読では、詩篇37篇5節の「あなたの道を主にゆだねよ。主に信頼せよ。主が成し遂げてくだる」というところから自分を見直すことができました。それは、この生活でありました。僕が塾から帰る時に自転車と車が接触してしまいました。そのような時は交番などに行って報告する必要があるのですが、それはかなり時間が取られるものでした。なのでやらないで行ってもなんともないのですが、どうすればよいか分からず主に委ねることにしました。そうすると、交番に行った方が良いと思いました。だから、交番に行き報告しました。この時に自分が「やらないようする」という考えがよくないのではと考えれるようになりました。ですので、必ず主は成し遂げてくださるということがよくわかりました。

Jun re: むかい
言ってる意味がよくわからないけど、、別に自分が怪我したり、自転車が壊れたりしてないなら、交番に行く必要ないんじゃないの？（それとも、自転車で相手の車に傷つけたってことかな？）自分が車乗ってる側で、誰かにぶつけたなら、それは、行ったほうがいいけど。交番に行くことより、なぜ塾から帰る途中で、こんなことが起きたのか？考える方が必要だと思うけど。神様が何かムカイに語りたいことがあるんじゃないかな？

Tomas
This week’s Bible reading, I learned about how God helps us when we put our trust in him in Psalms 37. Applying this to my life, I had a lot of things due today such as my history project, science project, as well as a test for math. Before this, I prayed to God when I worked on all of these things and when working on them and studying, the work felt easier and short even though it was a lot.

Jun re:  Tomas
Ok, good Tomas. Please read my reply to Emiri (although if you can, read my other replies as well—they will help you grow into a strong adult Christian). She wrote a similar thing to you from Psalm 37.

Also, keep in mind that the “trust in the Lord” in Psalm 37 is specifically talking about continuing to do good (even to those who don’t deserve it or act badly towards you, etc.) and to stay righteous despite all the wicked people in this world who succeed and flourish. It is not just a generic “trust in God” when you need his help, and he will help you. Do you see the difference?

I’m not saying your or Emiri’s application is wrong, just that it’s on a very different level. This is also a good example of how one simple truth has many, many layers (the truth here being what “trust in God” means) and I want you guys to be able to dig deeper. The deeper you are able to dig, the more stable your faith will be even when troubles come.

よしや
詩編‬ ‭41‬:‭2‬〜4‬の弱いものへの思いやりがあることを言った箇所が最近のメッセージの内容に合っていて面白かった。災が降りかかった時に、神様はそのような人を助けてくれる。自分のクラスだけのことを考えずに、他のクラスのことも考えて、昔同じクラスだった人のことも気にかけえ

Jun re: よしや
詩編‬ ‭41‬:‭2‬〜4‬の弱いものへの思いやりがあることを言った箇所が最近のメッセージの内容に合っていて面白かった。
Yes, good! 私も同じ節に目が止まりました。災いが降りかかった時（これも大事な真理です：正しいクリスチャンにも、災いは来ます。理由はサタンがまだ世の中を支配してるからです。災いがきた時、どのように乗り越えるかが、神の栄光を表します。良い戦いをするための、今こうして、聖書通読やったりして訓練してます。）災いが降りかかった時、神様が絶対に助けてくれると信じる信仰が持てる秘訣は、強く長く祈ることや、断食することとかよりも、それまで、弱いものへの思いやりを持って生きてきたかどうか、ということです。（また、そういう生き方をしてきた人は、たくさん人のために祈ってきた人ですけどね！😆災いがきた途端に祈ろうとしても、できないですし、効果少ないです。）

自分のクラスだけのことを考えずに、他のクラスのことも考えて、昔同じクラスだった人のことも気にかけえ
適用を書いてるね。👍適用を書くこと（もちろん、書いたことを実行すること）を意識的に練習するとヨシヤが持ってるいいところが生かされます。泳ぐことを物理的に説明するのではなく、実際に水の中に飛び込んで泳ぎ始める時に、世界が開かれます。その時初めて、「泳ぐ」とはどういうことなのか、目ん玉まで濡れる感覚、魚や亀が泳いでるのを上から見るのではなく、一緒に同じ目線で泳ぐ、息が苦しくなる気持ち、体が浮くとはどういう気持ちなのか、、初めて知ります。また、溺れそうな人も助けることができます。ヨシヤの周りには「弱いもの」がたくさんいます。クラスだけではなく、教会にもいるよ！そういう人に対して、思いやりを持つとは、どういう言葉をかけることか、どういう行動をとることなのか？考えて、実行することが適用です。

Timothy
In Psalms 37:25-26 (“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”) I learned that I need to give more and not be stingy. I need to care for the people around me, and although there is not much for me to give, I can do small things like, in school, taking time to help a friend with an assignment or something. And even if I feel that I can be spending the time doing something else, like studying for a test, I will be fine because God is with me. I also thought that I need to focus more during the service to learn more about God and love.

Jun re: Timothy
Good application, Timothy. It’s good you didn’t just write that you learned to “trust in the Lord” from Psalm 37. Giving generously and not being stingy is a practical application of what it means to trust in the Lord. It is when you start taking these actions (however small they may be), that you can start to have faith that God will actually do the things you ask for when you need his help or you have some kind of desire.

And even if I feel that I can be spending the time doing something else, like studying for a test, I will be fine because God is with me.
Yes👍.

I also thought that I need to focus more during the service to learn more about God and love.
Yes, and don’t think that the worship service is only about studying God’s word more. In fact, the most important thing is to actually “worship” him. This comes before studying. Worship means giving thanks, giving honor, giving praise to God. So we need to start with putting 100% of our hearts into praising God through song, through confessions, through praying. Without doing these things, God’s word cannot enter our hearts, because it is not like academic study, where you can just use your brains to understand the material and pass the class.

Emiri
In this week’s Bible reading I learned from the Psalms 32:3,5 “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [5] Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
32:11 “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”
30:8-9 “To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: [9] What is gained if I am silenced,”
that saying something is really important whether it’s confessing your sins or praising God or calling for help/mercy. I learned that it is important to say the words. Like God did to create this world. (Psalm 33:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.)
Applying this today in my sustainable Agriculture class my teacher put me in charge of making the ground flat for a stand-in garden we are building as a class. Since the teacher told me what we needed to do, I needed to explain it to everyone, but several people ignored me and just watched us do work. After a bit they started to mock me but this one boy who had started working from the start told me that I needed to speak up more and so I went up to them and clearly told them what was needed to be done and they started to cooperate as well. Through this I learned that in everything it is important to clearly say things.

Jun re: Emiri
So you had a good learning experience. It’s something we’ve talked about many times during youth sharing—the importance of expressing yourself and speaking up, but the only way to really learn is through experience. The boy did a good job in telling you that you need to speak up.

むかい
今回の聖書朗読では、詩篇31篇23節「主を愛せよ。すべて主にある敬虔な者たち。主は誠実な者を保たれるが、高ぶる者には　厳しく報いをされる」32篇10節「悪しき者は心の痛みが多い。しかし、主に信頼する者は、恵みがその人を囲んでいる。」というところから2つ学びました。
一つ目は、最近の生活で塾のテストの結果が返ってきて、その時の結果がよく自分がやったかのように自慢をしてしまいました。しかし、そのあと自分がこのように自慢してしまい、周りの人たちが嫌がっていたように思たのでものすごく心に痛みがありました。
二つ目は、僕が学校にいる時に自分が学校で配布されているパソコンで間違った使い方をしてしまいました。そのことは先生方に言わなければ、何もなかったのですが、主はそのように隠すことを嫌うと思い、自分から行くことを決心しました。勿論先生方には怒られたのですが、心にモヤモヤが残らずとても清々しい気持ちとなったので、主にあって誠実で良かったと心から思いました。
このようなことから、23節と10節がよく心に沁み、これからも、主にあって誠実でいきたいと思いました。

Jun re:むかい
しかし、そのあと自分がこのように自慢してしまい、周りの人たちが嫌がっていたように思たのでものすごく心に痛みがありました。
人が嫌がったから心が痛むのではなく、神様が嫌うことをしてしまったことに、心が痛むようになると、そういうところ（自分で悪いと思うところ）が変わってきます。人の態度や言う言葉で、自分を変えてるうちは、内心何も変わっていません。自慢するような行動をとらなくても、心の中では自慢したい気持ちでいっぱいだから、神様から見たら、一緒です。神様に喜ばれる自分になりたく無いですか？自慢してる人間は、正直安っぽく無いですか？もっと高価な人間になりましょう！

ムカイが持ってるものは、全て神様からきてます。健康、頭の良さ、教育、お金、支えてくれる家族、日本人であること、クリスチャンであること、だヴァールという教会（真理を教えてくれる教会）、、何を自慢することできますか？与えられたものを使って、神様と人の役に立てるように、成長するという、答え以外ないんじゃないの？😇

具体的に毎週書くようになったね！👍

Timothy
In Psalms 33 verses 1-3, it says “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” It says that to “play skillfully” is important but also to “shout for joy.” I learned that I should continue to play and practice guitar not just for my own fun and enjoyment, but to praise and thank God for all the things he has done for me.

Jun re: Timothy
It says that to “play skillfully” is important but also to “shout for joy.” I learned that I should continue to play and practice guitar not just for my own fun and enjoyment, but to praise and thank God for all the things he has done for me.
Yes! So don’t just practice or play the guitar, but practice singing with your voice when you play. Some of you guys tend to hide behind playing the guitar, and you are not really singing, or praising God through the music. When you use your voice, you have to say the words, which becomes a confession of your faith. This opens the door for God to bless you, for his light to enter, and to give you the power you seek. Open the door to your heart wide open when you pick up your guitar and you might be surprised by how it sets you free.

Next time, like if you guys do a song at camp for example, I suggest memorizing the words and chords (so stick to an easy song if it feels difficult) and singing without a music stand in front of you. Don’t let the stand become a crutch.

Tomas
This week’s Bible reading, I learned about how God forgives those who admit and confess their sin to him in Psalm 32. Applying this to my life, when I do something I think is wrong, for example, not getting mad at small things like how on Thursday how my science project partner didn’t work that much, I should pray to God for me to teach him and show my partner what to do and give him a task rather than getting frustrated at him.

Jun re: Tomas
Not forgetting how much patience and love God has shown you to make you into who you are now, will make being patient to your partner seem like such a little thing in comparison. Anger (or irritation) comes from pride, which in turn, comes when we forget to be grateful.

Timothy
Psalms 23 talks about the blessing one receives if they “dwell in the house of the Lord” (v.6). God will “refresh my soul” (v.3) and “guide me along the right paths” (v.3), and even as I experience difficult times (“the darkest valley” v.4), he is with me and will comfort me (v.4). I learned that I must trust in God and live in him always as he was caring for me since birth, as David writes in 23:9 and 10 (“Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.”). Applying this to my life, I should trust God and read the Bible and learn from it.

Jun re: Timothy
Psalms 23 talks about the blessing one receives if they “dwell in the house of the Lord”
Yes, but more importantly, can you see that there is no greater blessing than having the right to dwell in the house of the Lord? The way you put it, it carries the nuance that dwelling in the house of the Lord is the requirement one must keep, in order to receive the blessings one really desires. But in reality, the other blessings that people normally seek, are おまけ（freebies—not the real prize, but just cheap stuff given away, like the toy that comes with the kids’ meal at McDonald’s😆).

I must trust in God and live in him always as he was caring for me since birth,
Yes, but even from before birth! Don’t think you exist because your parents decided to have a kid. God had a plan before you were even conceived, and then created you. The way you lead your life will change drastically depending on whether you truly believe this or not.

よしや
地とそこに満ちるもの 世界とそこに住むものは、主のもの。 主は、大海の上に地の基を置き 潮の流れの上に世界を築かれた。っていうのがかっこいい。やっぱりこの世界の色々なものは、神様に溢れているんだなって思った。神様は絶対的な存在であって、それがすごく誇らしい。

Jun re: よしや
ヨシヤが注目するところは、いつも興味深いね。☺️

でも、先週も書いたように、適用まで、ちゃんと書くこと。そういう、かっこいい神様に対して、ヨシヤは何がやれる？人生通して、何がりたい？そして、次の節に書いてある「誰が、主の山に登りえようか、誰がその聖なるところに立ちえようか。」から、毎週神様の臨在に出ていって、礼拝できることが、どれほど凄い特権かわかる？エミリへのメールにもさっき、書いたけど、ダビデが、何よりも望んだことが、２７：４に書いてあります。もう一回読んでみてください。ヨシヤも同じ願い強く持ってますか？😇

Tomas
This week in Psalm, I learned about how God always hears our prayers and cries for help in Psalm 28. Applying this to my life, I currently have a science project that requires building a roller coaster out of paper. Currently, me and my group are working on the designs, but one of our partners won’t be here next week. So, I must pray to God for the guidance and strength I need to continue on this project as well as the leadership in it.

Jun re: Tomas
From Psalm 28, the words that stuck out to me were verses 3 (“…those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts”) and verse 5 (“Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord and what his hands have done”), because they have somewhat unusual definitions of evil people. Usually we think of evil people as those who hurt others or do plainly wicked things. But these verses talk more about what is unseen—what is in the heart. Especially verse 5 can only be understood by those who believe in God—God regards those who do not give glory (or credit) back to God as evil.

So when you pray to God for help and receive it, always remember to give glory back to God (not just in your heart or private prayers, but in your words and actions with other people as well).

むかい
今回の聖書朗読では、詩篇23篇の4節で「たとえ　死の陰の谷を歩むとしても、私はわざわいを恐れません。あなたがともにおられますから。あなたのむちとあなたの杖、それが私の慰めです。」というところをよく見ました。
私の生活を見てみると、何か自分に不都合があった時に、それに怖気付いてそれから逃げようとしていました。しかし、このみことばにあるように、どんな道であろうとも神様が私と共におられるため、怖気付かずに突き進んでいきたいと思いました。

Jun re: むかい
私の生活を見てみると、何か自分に不都合があった時に、それに怖気付いてそれから逃げようとしていました。しかし、このみことばにあるように、どんな道であろうとも神様が私と共におられるため、怖気付かずに突き進んでいきたいと思いました。
こういうのも、できたら、もう少しはっきり書ける？不都合なことって、例えば何？普通、不都合なことがあると、グータラでやらない、、とかになると思うけど、なんで怖気付くの？もちろん、書きたくない事は書かなくていいよ！でも、書いても構わない事なら、書いたほうが私も、もっとムカイのヘルプになれるよ。

Emiri
In this week’s bible reading Psalms 27:1 “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” I was reminded that since God is always with me I shouldn’t be afraid.
This week we had the presentation for art about a global issue, our group did homelessness, before I went out I prayed. I was a bit nervous at first but afterwards I was able to speak more clearly and present. Today when they released the score our group had the highest score. I learned from this that it is important to trust in God all the time.

Jun re: Emiri
This applies to everyone, but are you guys trying to always look for something new you don’t know yet, or are you just looking for “reminders” of what you already know? (Because it should always be the former😆.)

I always try to be super lenient with you guys, but if you find yourself writing about the same sort of things every week, it means you’re not really learning anything or listening to God’s voice when reading the Bible. There is always, always something new to discover–a facet you didn’t notice before, or a deeper layer you were unaware of. Look for these things.

For example, since Emiri is looking at Psalm 27 here, what do you think about verse 4: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple?” It really reveals David’s heart, don’t you think? What he wanted above all else was the privilege of staying in God’s house. How many people can say that and really mean it?

Reading each other’s emails (everyone’s), do you see how different David was from you? On the whole, most of the time, you are seeking your own benefit (doing well at school, sports, etc.), and don’t realize the greatest blessing you can seek is the privilege of worshipping God in his presence.

Or…what about 27:10? Wasn’t that interesting?🧐😂

Happy 16th birthday, Emiri!!!🥳 Did you finish the gingerbread house? Last year, you said you didn’t get anything for your birthday😭, but I hope you got two years’ worth of presents this year.