Believe – Kawaiahaʻo Church

The Start of Kingship and Christianity – Believe, Bible Study

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my

Father’s house is many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I

go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will

come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And

you know the way to where I am going.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we

know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No

one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would

have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen

him.””

John 14:1-7 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.14.1-7.esv

The passages during the Last Supper are so telling. It really is the cross-over

between the Old Testament and the New. Now, Christ has revealed that He will

prepare a place. It is He who will begin the New Covenant. It is He who clearly

states He is the gatekeeper. It really was at this point that Christianity was

born. The sequence of events to occur shortly afterward solidified Christ’s

rightful place as King.

It took me a while to really think about Christ’s coronation as King because it's

actually opposite to what someone would think a coronation should be. What I

mean by this is Jesus was asked if He was King of the Jews. A crown of thorns

was placed on his head. He was mocked as King by the Romans and the masses

as he was carrying the cross to the place of the skull. A sign “King of the Jews”

was placed overhead of His mangled body on the cross. He asked His Father to

forgive “His Subjects.” When He died, He was glorified by the Father. His blood

and sacrifice were the glories.

“When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is

glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and

glorify him at once.”

John 13:31-32 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.13.31-32.esv

In John 13, Christ also creates a new commandment. It reads:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have

loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you

are my disciples if you have a love for one another.””

John 13:34-35 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.13.34-35.esv

A new commandment from a new King. Christ is actually preparing to be King.

He is stating His commandment before he is coronated as King on the cross.

When I reflect and re-read God’s Word, my understanding ever changes and

hones in. My understanding seems to go deeper and marvel because I start to

understand God’s way is different and higher than my ways. Who would think

crucifying one’s only son would trigger a whole new way to worship the Father?

and the Son? I encourage you to read John 13 and 14 carefully and reflect. The

Words of Christ are very telling of the changes in God’s plans.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Fear Not – Believe, Saved

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

When I read the Bible and pray, the theme of “Fear Not” just keeps popping up.

I was curious about how many times “fear not” shows up in the Bible and was quite

surprised it was 365 times. Could it be God wants us to know we should “fear

not” every day? I do know since I got serious with Christ, I really don’t fear

anything. I don't care about politics, the economy, current affairs, or anything else. I

just seem to fully trust God that I will be cared for. No matter what happens, all

is going to be fine. It's this “fear not” thinking that gives me peace and feeling

stress-free.

I almost think the feeling of “fearing not” alone is worth being a Child of God.

Too many people are stressed out today because they see the problems but

don't seek God for the solutions. Perhaps, they are too focused on this world

and bank on a future that may or may not come. With God, you know He will

care for you here and in eternal life. Every day is a gift from God. Each time you

take a breath, it's due to God’s Will. Imagine how fragile you truly are just

depending on God’s Will to take another breath let alone what’s going to

happen over this year?

So, if you don’t “fear not”, reflect on why. Perhaps you are focusing too much on

this world instead of God.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Self-proclaimed false prophets – Believe, Bible Study, Truth

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name,

saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long shall there be lies in the

heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their

own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that

they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the

prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak

my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 23:25-28 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jer.23.25-28.esv

“But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not

commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same

prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word

that the Lord has not spoken?’— When a prophet speaks in the name of the

Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the

Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not

be afraid of him.”

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/deu.18.20-22.esv

The Bible is clear on being mindful of false prophets. Frankly, the only truth is

from the Bible itself. I am saddened when I watch or read self-claimed

“prophets” who claim they have more access to God than anyone else. The truth

is everyone has the same access. Every believer has the Holy Spirit within them.

Every believer has access to an unmodified Bible containing the same passages.

God transforms all of us through faith and the Holy Spirit. God wants a loving

relationship with everyone equally.

Do not be deceived. You are on a level playing field with God. Yes, you may have

unique gifts given to you by God to serve His Will but you can be as close to Him

as the next self-proclaimed “prophet.” God gives everyone equal access.

““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes

in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.3.16.esv

So, when you read or watch self-proclaimed “prophets”, listen with a grain of

salt. Read the Bible to garner truth and pray for truth. Allow God to guide you

on what you need to do. Let Him take the lead in your life. God, Himself will

never lead you astray. God, Himself will show you the truth. God, Himself will

demonstrate immense love and mercy for you as He does with everyone.

With the advent of technology, believers are more vulnerable to being led

astray. We are overrun with information. Perhaps, that’s why Jesus states:

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your

Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Matthew 6:6 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/mat.6.6.esv

I take this passage simply as having a 1 on 1 with your Heavenly Father is so

important. Perhaps, Jesus stated this to protect you from self-proclaimed

“prophets.” Focus on God Himself and you will be rewarded with clear

direction.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Loneliness – Believe, Prayer

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will

strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/isa.41.10.esv

Of all the years I have been working with disabled folks and Kapuna, I think their

greatest pain is loneliness. We try to give them medications, therapy, and group

and it just doesn’t fill the void. Psychologists write a pile of complex peer review

journals on how to mitigate feelings of loneliness. It seems everyone is

publishing some gimmick to help others not be lonely.

Why is something so easy been made so hard? I really see two clear ways to

deal with loneliness. The first is to have a regular, loving relationship with God.

Once one taps into the Holy Spirit, one realizes they are truly not alone. God

promises to strengthen those who seek Him and my experiences with Him

testify to that. I can be alone praying and can feel His presence which fills my

heart with joy. The second is for the body of Christ and all its resources to aid in

conquering loneliness. Encouraging everyone to partake in Church and those

within the Church to volunteer at Kapuna Centers to spend time would conquer

a ton of loneliness. Nothing is more rewarding for both parties than to share a

cup of coffee or tea, pray together and share stories. Nothing is more powerful

than taking time from your day to share your presence. It doesn’t take

medications and paid therapy or programs to quench the thirst of wanting

sincere company

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Thoughts give responses – Believe, Integrity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:00:00 +0000

I have made my world small on purpose. I do it because I want to focus on God

more and the drama in this world less. I have found my spirit gradually gets

stronger and stronger as I make my focus on God daily. It seems that conquering

Sin gets easier with His help. Even though I can still remember many of the sins I

have committed in the past, I feel forgiven for them all. I can’t help but feel

shame for my past sins because I let God down many times. He does tell me

shame is not needed as forgiveness is granted. I will reach the finish line

victorious even though the journey will be rough. I must keep looking up instead

of within. I must keep trusting through faith and let His logic flow instead of

mine. I must remain still.

Today, while I was praying, I had a thought that given this world is so sinful,

maybe I should just worry about saving myself. The response was swift. It was

simply, “Don’t be selfish.” I apologized for my thoughts and know it was selfish.

Selfishness still creeps in here and here. It’s like I have most of the wounds of sin

licked but there are still sores oozing. My eyes slowly open but my vision is still

blurry.

It’s really amazing how journeying with Christ is long, sometimes rocky but

always rewarding. I start to lose this world and its drama and start to see others

with much more glory. Even though I have learned to be a critical thinker, it is of

no use to Christ. It’s because my critical thinking skills apply to this world and

offer no help in Christ’s World. Perhaps, that’s why the Bible attempts to

describe things that cannot truly be described in this world. That’s why

interpretations vary between people sometimes with some passages. However,

the core commandments remain lucid and clear. That’s why I must keep praying

as the Bible intends on being the foundation while the Holy Spirit is my guide.

It’s because my journey of purpose is unique to me and thus requires a special

guide to lead the way.

All of us can get spiritually stronger. It takes hard work, rethinking all you have

learned, and trusting a power that can be heard and felt but seen in a completely

different light. Your thoughts are counseled by the Holy Spirit and responses are

given. One just needs to think beyond this world to achieve these responses.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

The Holy Spirit within you is God – Believe

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“Jesus went on to say, ‘If you love me, do what I have told you to do. I will ask

the Father to help you with this. He will send another Helper to be with you.

That Helper will stay with you always. He is God's Spirit, and he shows you what

is true. The people who belong to this world cannot receive him. That is because

they cannot see him. They cannot know who he is. But you know him because

he stays with you. And he will be in you. I will not let you remain alone, like

children without parents. I will come to you. Soon, the people who belong to

this world will not see me any longer. But you will see me. Because I continue to

live, you also will live.”

John 14:15-19 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/jhn.14.15-19.easy

We are all so blessed to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. I am always in awe

when I think about that. Everyone around me who believes in Him has a piece

of God in them too. That’s really what makes your brother and sister so

precious. They know God because God is inside them.

What really blows my mind is how the bond of the Trinity is pure love. The

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in unity which makes the feeling of love within

you so strong. I know this because I have felt it firsthand many times. It’s

actually quite addictive. It drives me to feel that love over and over because I

can get it nowhere else. This love conquers any fear, worry, or any other

emotions except love.

What even makes the gift of the Holy Spirit even more mind-blowing is it’s given

to a microorganism living on a planet among unknown numbers of planets and

solar systems. I am unworthy of this Gift yet it was given. I guess that’s why I try

to return my love to Him through words, thoughts, devotion, deeds, and regular

faithfulness as that’s all I have to give. Yet, this seems enough.

Maybe that is why angels surround the throne of God and praise Him as

described in Revelation 5. It’s because what else can one do when surrounded

by indescribable perfection?

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Motions versus Action – Believe, Prayer

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“The way that your fast does not please me at all: You make yourselves humble

for a day. You bend down your head, like a piece of weak grass. You lie down on

sackcloth and ashes. Do you think that you are really fasting when you do that?

Do you think that it pleases me, the Lord? This is the way that I want you to fast:

You must remove the chains from prisoners who should not be in prison. You

must stop being cruel to the people who work for you. You must let people who

are in pain go free. You must break the yoke of work that is too hard for weak

people. Instead, share your food with hungry people. Give a place in your home

to poor people who have no home. Give clothes to people who have nothing to

wear. If people in your own family need help, do not refuse to help them. Then

God's light will shine on you, like the sun's light at dawn. Very soon, your

troubles will go away. The good things that you do to help others will be clear

for everyone to see. And the Lord will use his great power to keep you safe.”

Isaiah 58:5-8 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/isa.58.5-8.easy

Wooof. These passages are powerful! Sometimes we get too caught up in doing

the motions thinking we please God and receive his blessings. Wrong! It’s when

you share, shows kindness towards others, fights for the weak and vulnerable is

when you receive God’s blessings. What’s even more potent is that your good

deeds are seen and appreciated by everyone to boot. It reminds me of Mother

Teresa. How many of you know her name? Her name is known by her doing

God’s work. She never wanted attention drawn to herself. It was God who had

her get attention to bless her and support her work. She wasn’t doing the

motions. She was doing God’s Will.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Self-correct – Body and Mind, Believe

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“For that reason, I want you to remember the gift that God gave you when I put

my hands on you. Use that gift more and more to serve God well. Be strong like

that, because God has given us his Spirit. And his Spirit does not cause us to be

afraid. Instead, he causes us to be strong to serve God. He helps us to love God

and other people. And he helps us to rule ourselves properly.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/2ti.1.6-7.easy

I like and hate the self-correct feature on my iPad. It helps me by correcting

spelling mistakes but sometimes changes words that should not have been

changed. I go and proofread my work and grumble as I correct myself.

Sometimes, I miss a certain word and notice it after I send it off. Yes, I’m far from

perfect. Yet, overall the self-correct feature works better than the odd mistakes

it makes so I keep it on.

The Holy Spirit within me is similar to the self-correct feature on my iPad. I am

guided by the Holy Spirit to self-correct even when I really don’t want self-

correction to happen. Unlike the self-correct feature, the Holy Spirit never

makes mistakes. Sometimes, I proofread the Holy Spirit by saying, “LORD, must I

do it? Can’t I please go in the direction I want to go? Are you sure you want it done

this way?” The answer is always no and I must self-correct or I will not feel at

peace. The job of the Holy Spirit is to please God, not me. That’s similar to the

self-correct feature on the iPad when it changes spelling differently than the

way I think it should be spelled.

Listening to the Holy Spirit within you can be hard at times because the

guidance one receives doesn’t please you. It’s hard sometimes to self-correct

yet you know it must be done. Yes, even though the Holy Spirit sometimes

irritates me because I want temptation, I keep it on because I need it to help me

self-correct.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Why Faith is mind-blowing – Believe

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the

prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he

appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is

the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he

upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for

sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as

much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than

theirs.”

Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/heb.1.1-4.esv

“and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long

robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs on his head were white,

like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like

burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many

waters. In his right hand, he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-

edged sword and his face were like the sun shining in full strength.”

Revelation 1:13-16 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/rev.1.13-16.esv

Having faith in Jesus is difficult. It’s because the concept of Jesus is mind-blowing. Imagine anything that literally inherits everything, and upholds the entire

Universe by His word alone and has radiance beyond measure. When John

witnessed a vision of our LORD, he saw a face filled with a light stronger than the

Sun and they didn’t have computer effects back then! Could this mean John

needs medications?

I thank the LORD for the Holy Spirit because, without that, I think I would have

trouble having Faith. It’s because what I’m to believe defies understanding to

the point of being fantasy. It’s like I’m reading a science fiction novel. How can a

Spirit has all that?

I suppose that’s why we have suffered. It forces many to try anything to

alleviate the pain and suffering. In a sense, they kneel before God because it’s all

that’s left. Desperate times require desperate actions. I know I needed to hit

rock bottom before I got down on my knees and took Christ seriously. What

really confirmed my faith was the way all my pain and suffering ceased.

Afterward, I knew something was now in me which I now know is the Holy

Spirit. It’s this that makes the unbelievable believable.

I like to share my experiences because I do understand how the facts about Jesus

can be mind-blowing. I tell others to give Jesus a chance to prove it is true

through prayer. You will feel cleansed, you have no guilt, you will think clearer,

you don’t worry about tomorrow, your worldview will change to a heavenly

view and you will feel the love that nothing can match. It’s through this that faith in

Christ will grow. As it grows, He slowly reveals more to you. You have nothing to

lose and everything to gain.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

The Finish Line – Believe

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 23:27:00 +0000

“Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” Hebrews 6:17-19 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.6.19.NKJV

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/2ti.4.7.NKJV

People like to get to the finish line. We have goals to set in life to end up successful. That’s why we see others struggling in the Iron Man or the Marathon. Completing a 4-year education can be grueling and then we want to feel the exhilaration of completing Graduate School. How about paying off that mortgage or saving for retirement? We know things of value require struggles along the way. If it was easy, the value of the achievement is lower. Maybe we are just a sucker for punishment like Paul was. Or, maybe we are willing to struggle so we can feel that sweet success? Keeping the faith is really no different. Throughout our lives, we are going to receive a mixture of successes and challenges. We will be filled with temptations and sometimes doubt. There will be times when we can’t understand the struggles we are currently enduring. A health shift tests the faith. Struggling financially in life can test faith too. How about a death in the family? I really wonder whether Dad made it to heaven. I hope so but that is not my decision.

I sometimes wonder if I can stay in the race. My mind is willing but my heart wavers sometimes when struggles happen. I am filled with distractions of this world and must remain focused. I can see the finish line on the horizon so I must keep running on a straight path to reach it. I look left and right and there are no shortcuts. God is there to help me so pray often. He will never leave me. He is rooting me on.

Keep the faith. Run straight to the finish line. Eyes forward. Get to the prize as it's exhilarating! You can reach there as the struggles continue. You completed your degree(s), completed the marathon, met difficult goals, took on challenges head on, and came out victorious. If you can do that, you can reach the Glory of God too. It may be hard at times, but the finish line will be amazing!

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada