❖ Video ❖ Audio How can I repay the LORD？ Psalm 116 Andy Nagahara Like many of the songs in the Psalms, it seems that at the core of this song is the experience of the psalmist’s own near death, such as a serious illness, for example. But at the same time, when it came to be sung publicly in temple services, it was sung to recall the tribulations in Egypt, which were the common affliction of the people, and the tribulations under occupation by neighboring nations in later times. In some denominations of the modern church, it is even sung to thank God for the safe delivery of the…

❖ Video ❖ Audio A New Heart and A New Way of Life Romans 12:1-8 Mari Ikeda Today we begin Romans chapter 12. Let’s read it right away. First, verses 1-2. A. A new way of life (1-2) 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. 1. Every…

❖ Video ❖ Audio The Lord is Our Help and Shield Psalm 115 Andy Nagahara In this week of Easter Sunday, typically I bring a message from a chapter of the gospel, putting aside the general topics. Interestingly however the series from Psalm suits the context of Easter very well. Thus we continue reading Psalm, and today’s chapter is 115.  A. To whom does the glory belong? (1-3) 1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. 2 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.  “…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Why Doesn’t God Take Away Our Suffering? Luke 22:31-34 Mari Ikeda Today is called Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, and this week is Passion Week. It is a time when we should think again about the death and resurrection of Jesus, but preparing for this message was a bit difficult. That’s because I have been doubting God for some time now. I felt like God was not doing anything about my personal suffering and the many tragic things that are happening in this world, including Ukraine. While I was in the midst of suffering that I wanted to disappear right now, I had no idea…

❖ Video ❖ Audio From My Egypt to My Israel Psalm 114 Andy Nagahra 1 When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,2 Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.3 The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back;4 the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.5 Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,6 you mountains, that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs?7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,8 who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs…