Integrity – Kawaiahaʻo Church

The Potter – Body and Mind, Bible Study, Integrity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his

will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say

to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over

the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and

another for dishonorable use?”

Romans 9:19-21 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/rom.9.19-21.esv

I had a lot of trouble trying not to question God. Questions like, “Why would

God threatened to kill the first born in Egypt if the Egyptians didn't let His people

go?” or “Why does God let people die of cancer?” or “Why is there a Hell?”

When I read the Bible, I question why God acted a certain way. Boy, have I got

that wrong!

The fact is God is my creator and I am created. As my creator, God can do

whatever He wants. Think of it this way. When you create something or own

something, how do you feel when others criticize you if you use something in a

way they don’t like? How would you feel if I came to the home that you built

and started painting your walls purple and orange? Who am I to do that?

The fact is God can do what He chooses with us. We can't pick and choose what

God should or should not do. We can't choose commandments that we like and

ignore what we don't like. We don't decide if God places evil people in this

world. God is the potter and we are His pottery.

So, when you're reading the Bible, read all of it. Don't pick passages you like and

ignore ones you don't. God is the potter so He decides and makes all the rules.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

What’s Important – Body and Mind, Integrity, Today

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:00:00 +0000

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the

love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the

flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is

from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but

whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/1jn.2.15-17.esv

As I get older, I really start to think less and less of the “stuff” I have in this

world. As a matter of fact, I start to see the “stuff” as a burden. I have to

maintain it, store it, insure it, sell it, and figure out who to give it to. I have been

misled into thinking “stuff” is important. Yes, the ads have brainwashed me.

If I really break down what I need, it’s actually little. I need a well-balanced diet

and a way to cook it, exercise, good health, basic hygiene items, friends and

family, fresh air, my Bible, God, some clothes, heat (as I live in Canada eh), and a

roof over my head. All the rest is just fluff. Perhaps, that’s why Christ had

nothing. He didn’t worry about the basics He needed. The basics always were

provided. He truly knew what was important.

I think the greatest fear I used to have was the fear of losing stuff. I was so

misguided. When one only fears God, they have complete peace. They don’t

care because they realize this world is only temporary. Simply enjoy what God

has given and one just feels so content, fulfilled, and grateful.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Creator and Moral Analysis – Integrity, Today

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:1 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/gen.1.1.esv

I recently reflected on a quote that sticks deeply in my mind.

If you want to create your own rules, create your own Universe.

There are certain passages in the Bible that challenge my moral thinking. Wait a

minute. Have I created or the Creator? As the creator, do my judgments even

matter? Do I have the power to question God? Is God’s Word in the Bible to be

questioned, disputed, or challenged?

I have learned that when it comes from God’s Word, He is the creator so He is

always right. I am either hot or cold to Him as being lukewarm makes Him want

to spit me out of His mouth (Revelation 3: 15-16). There really isn't any mid-ground with

God. So, I take His Word at face value and embrace it regardless of

my thoughts.

So, when people ask my opinion on hot topics like homosexuality, unmarried

sex, drug addiction, abortion, and the like, I simply refer them to scripture. I tell

them what I think doesn't matter. However, what God says through His Word

completely matters as He is the creator. Here's another reason why I love the

Bible. It actually frees me from so many hot questions. I just refer them to God.

So, next time you are questioning morality or being asked your opinion on a

moral question, use your trusty Bible to garner an answer. It will give you the truth

and reflect hard questions to God instead of yourself. God is the one who makes

the rules because He is the creator. If you don't agree, create your own Universe!

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

Does paid helping apply? – Love one Another, Integrate

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“Then Jesus said to the man who had asked him to the meal, ‘When you give a

meal at midday or in the evening, do not ask your friends to come. Do not ask

your brothers or your family. And do not ask the rich people that live near you

to come. If you do, they will later ask you to eat at their house. This will pay you

for the meal that you gave to them. Instead, when you prepare a big meal, you

should ask the poor people to come. Ask people that have lost an arm or a leg.

Ask people that cannot walk very well, and people that cannot see. Then God

will make you happy. Those people cannot pay you for the meal you have given

to them. Instead, God will pay you, on the day when he makes good people

become alive again.’”

Luke 14:12-14 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/luk.14.12-14.easy

Although I gladly give to the poor and needy, I also serve the disabled in my

work. I have wondered whether my work applies to giving as I do get paid in

return. I think of wonderful people who are paid nurses and other helpers

whether their efforts make God pleased. My guess is it does even though they

receive a paycheck. I think in terms of God’s way to thank those for helping

others less fortunate regardless of the paycheck received. I do think one's glory

is greater when one helps others without a paycheck. They do it purely from the

kindness of their hearts. Perhaps, there is a hierarchy of God’s pleasure? What I

mean by this is kindness towards others is always glorious, but kindness without

monetary reward is of the highest order. I am not completely sure about this as

God sees all sin as of equal seriousness so why would He have a hierarchy of

helping others? I continue to pray on this question.

What I do know is helping others whether paid to do it or not is a great calling. I

know I do both with gratitude. I thank God for His Grace in what I do. I do know I

do make a difference in the lives of the disabled people I serve whether I am

paid for it or not. Perhaps, that is the correct way to think.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

It’s not an accident! – Integrity, Love One Another, Saved

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 15:00:00 +0000

I used to believe in coincidences.

I just happened to meet people out of random luck. I work with Disabled people

by chance. I’m writing devotionals at a Church 3,100 miles away because it’s a

fluke.

Naw, it’s not an accident! It’s God’s Will. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be working the

way, it is.

Let me share a story with you. When I was in the Philippines, I met this family in

Manila. Frankly, most of them were fake. I could sense they were being nice to

me because they saw me as a “rich Canadian.” They would talk about their woes

while they are driving a brand-new Hyundai. They would tell me how poor they

were while they were enjoying a large, fresh shrimp cocktail. There was one

member of this family who was a quiet, humble man. He owns nothing and

never complained. When I smoked (I since stopped thanks to the LORD), he

and I would talk about everything but money. He shared what little he had. He

even slaughtered a goat (which was his prize possession) so he could offer me

the best he had. He has five daughters and they share a small family home. The

five daughters share a bedroom that is 12 feet by 12 feet. He goes to the Wet

Market at 2 am in the morning as this is where food prices are the cheapest. He

has to leave at 2 am as food sells fast. I see Bong (that’s his name) as a brother

now.

The family members who whined were passed off by me. However, I had the

urge to help Bong. I knew Bing would not accept anything from me so one day it

dawned on me he rents rooms for $100.00 a month. Bong has 5 of these rooms

and that’s pretty well his sole income. Imagine supporting 5 daughters on

$500.00 a month if they are fully rented and most times they are not. So, one

day I asked Bong if he had any rooms for rent. He asked me why I asked. I told

him I wanted to rent any vacant ones. He had two available so I rented them. I

told him to keep them available so that when I come to Manila I have a place to stay.

To this day, I still rent those rooms. To this day, Bong keeps them solely for me.

Then, just in conversation, he tells me about his youngest daughter and how

proud he is of her. She works at a College and gets free tuition to go to school.

He was so proud, he showed me her marks. She is on the Dean’s list. I was so

impressed, I asked him to move Maria into one of my rented rooms so she can

study better. After all, trying to study in a 12 by 12 room with 4 other girls is

hard. Bong moved her to one of my rented rooms. I asked him what Maria has

to sleep on. He told me not to worry about that. I later found out Maria sleeps

on the floor so I asked Bong when Maria’s birthday is? It so happened her

birthday was the week after I asked so I made arrangements to have an entire

bedroom suite delivered complete with a student’s desk. I asked Bong how

Maria gets to school. She walks for hours one way so I gave her a monthly

allowance. Knowing how proud Bong and Maria are, I told Maria I will give her

allowance as long as she is in school full time and remains on the Dean’s list. Her

allowance happens to cover the balance of her school expenses and a bit of

spending money. Maria proudly shows me her marks through Viber every

semester. Her lowest mark last semester was 94 percent.

Fast forwarding, COVID has made a school for Maria challenging. Again, Bong or

Maria never complains. I asked how Maria is completing her schoolwork. Since

she has no computer, she goes to her College to use the public ones. She uses

her allowance to pay the rental fee. So, guess what Maria is getting this

Christmas? Yes, a MacBook Pro is en route via DHL.

The reason I tell you this story is that my meeting Bong and she is not an

accident. I knew something inside told me to help Bong and her. Yes, it was God.

I know that for a fact. She will succeed and get out of poverty. I know she will

help others because I told her all I want is for her to pay it forward one day and I

know she will.

You know what my makes is all worth it? I never told Bong or Maria about my birthday

but somehow they found out. Here is what Maria wrote me on my last birthday

via Viber:

Hello Tito Kent, this is Maria. Happiest birthday to you, & thank you for

everything. More birthdays to come and stay healthy. Wish you all the best. God

bless and stay safe always love lots (mwah) (heart) (cake).

It’s the God bless that means the most. God bless her too.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Testing 1-2-3 – Integrity, Today

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 04:52:00 +0000

“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”

Deuteronomy 8:1-2 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/deu.8.2.NKJV

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.”

Exodus 16:4 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/exo.16.4.NKJV

“Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”” Genesis 22:1-2, 11-12 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/gen.22.1-12.NKJV

How many times have you asked someone what they do for a living when you first meet them? Are you testing to see whether you want to talk further with them or not? Have you ever said something to someone to see how they will respond? How about when the police set up a sting operation?

Perhaps, God tests you to look deep into your heart. God even tested His only Son by sending Him out into the wilderness with Satan. If the Father tests His Son, why would He not test you? Could suffering be a test to see how your heart responds to Him? Have you ever got angry with God when you suffered in some way? If God asked you to kill your only son like He did with Abraham, would you?

Every day is a test in some way. Each Sin presented before you tests your heart and obedience to God. Sometimes, the tests are more significant than others. How are you performing?

I know, like Abraham, I have failed tests before me. Even though I failed at times, I learn from them and get closer to the Lord. These tests help transform my heart to where God wants my heart to be. So, don’t despair the tests. Simply learn from them, lean closer to God and try hard not to repeat or pass the test if you are tested again.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Being preserved – Integrity, Mistakes

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 05:24:00 +0000

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.””

Luke 22:31-32 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/luk.22.31-32.nkjv

The beautiful thing about Christ is his immense grace to preserve us. All of us fall from Grace from time to time. With Peter, he denied Christ 3 times and was at risk of being sifted like wheat by Satan. However, Christ interjected for him through prayer with the Father. Over time, Peter was active within the ministry and was loyal until the end. To illustrate his loyalty, he was crucified upside down as he didn’t feel he deserved the same glory as Jesus.

Most of us are like Peter. Even though I now have a solid relationship with Christ as He is front of mind daily, I have fallen from Grace many times. I actually have fallen from Grace over the years more times than I can count. However, each fall and repentance made me stronger as a Christian. I still fall here and there but have found the falls to be much less than the past. These reduction of falls tells me my heart is being regenerated by God. It’s a slow process but the process itself tells me I am part of the elect.

You will fall at times as a Christian. The good news is Jesus will intercede for you and pick you back up if you are regenerating just like Peter. As you feel the regeneration taking place within your heart after each fall, feel good knowing this confirms you are part of the elect and belong to Christ.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

You will never be snatched – Believe, Integrity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 06:06:00 +0000

“Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.””

John 10:25-30 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.10.25-30.nkjv

It is so comforting to know that no matter what happens in this world, Christ will never let you go if you follow Him. You are safe with Him. Deep inside you know this because the Holy Spirit tells you this. You have an inner peace that assures your salvation.

Years ago when I was not saved, I used to have regular anxiety based on fear. I think it was because I knew deep inside I was alone. With loneliness came a deep sense of emptiness and a lack of direction. The cycle continued as I thought I had to focus on me because there was nothing else. These feelings fed my delusion of me being supreme. Man, have I changed thanks solely to God.

So take comfort knowing you are safe no matter what happens in this world. Christ has promised He will not allow you to be snatched out of His hand. That’s why He needs to be number one in your life. So, listen to Him through the Bible, pray often with full gratitude that you are safe in Him no matter what happens around you. Dig deep inside within you and enjoy the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

Father,

Thank you for being there for me. I know with you I am safe and will never be snatched out of your hand. I never need to be afraid and lonely because you are there with me. You are number one in my life. In Jesus’ precious name.

Amen.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Earthy Teaching Translates to Godly Learning – Body and Mind, Integrity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0000

I often relate my past experiences to what God teaches me through the Bible and the Holy Spirit. Many times, I marvel the connection between what I know to what God does.
I remember an old Vice Principal of mine telling me the essence of what a good Teacher does. A good teacher must deal with the behaviors BEFORE the student can be educated. They need to sit and learn, stop fighting and acting out and receive and accept counselling on how to deal with their challenges. I related that to my situation with Christ. I really couldn’t learn from Him until I realized by destructive behaviors made learning impossible. I was stubborn, filled with pride, materialistic, focused on the drama of the world, lied, judgmental, sometimes hypocritical, selfish, unforgiving and pushy. It was only when I realized my ways through feeling completely empty that I repented to God. Just like a student, no one could do this except me. It was when I felt so much shame on how I was behaving that I decided to change. I remember my prayer that day. With head down in shame, I was telling the LORD what a fool I have been. I told Him how ashamed I am of myself and asked for forgiveness. I said I would understand if I am unforgiven because I am really unworthy after the way I have behaved. The response I received was profound. It was like God gave me a big hug. I have not looked back since. You know, even though I need not feel shame, I still do sometimes. I suppose it is just humility at this point. Now, I want to learn from Him and He doesn’t disappoint.

Yes, what I learned as a teacher really does apply to how God handled me.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada