Love – Kawaiahaʻo Church

Grace – Bible Study, Love

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 03:00:00 +0000

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect

in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/2co.12.9.esv

“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own

doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/eph.2.8-9.esv

God’s Grace through faith in Jesus is all you need to truly know.

Even though I am a sinful man filled with regrets who has nothing to give but

love and faith, I cannot help trying to understand that that's all that is required. I

suppose I think in terms of committing crimes against God through sin and truly

deserving His Wrath. It's like when I did something wrong and the person I

transgressed gives me a hug when I needed punishment. The hug just makes me

feel worse. At least when I receive punishment I can feel good knowing I

deserved it. Yet, God would rather hug me than punish me and I just feel worse

yet redeemed in some way.

Over time, I have come to learn that I just need to understand God’s love and

mercy at face value. I think He sees my failings more as learnings than requiring

punishment. The best way I can illustrate this is when I periodically get a flash dream

of a man with short, curly dark hair smiling at me and extending his arms

towards me. It's a truly warm, loving experience.

So, one needs to understand the power of God’s grace. One needs to yield to

Him but when they fall, God’s loving Grace continues. It's this Grace that builds

faith and love toward Him.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Vacuum Cleaners – Love, Unity

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:01:47 +0000

“You belong to Christ, and he makes you brave. His love makes you strong. You

are able to help one another because his Spirit is in you. You can be kind to

each other, and you can forgive each other. Because of that, this is how you can

make me completely happy: In your mind, think about things in the same way

as one another. Love one another completely. In your spirit, agree with one

another. And work together for the same purpose. In the way that you live, do

not just try to help yourself. Do not be proud. Instead, respect other people.

Think about other people as more important than yourself. Do not think only

about the things that you want to do for yourself. Each of you should think also

about how you can help other people.”

Philippians 2:1-4 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/php.2.1-4.easy

In my work, I am taught that the client is always first. I do agree with that to an

extent. However, I wonder if when I solely focus on their needs, I am actually

enabling them to be lovers of self. It’s when I focus on them is when they

somehow become self-centered and remain needy. Although I truly love the

disabled guys that live with me, I tire of their selfishness. I tire of their focus on

their rights, their choices, and their world.

I have a lot of respect for pastors. It must be so hard to focus on God when the

congregation wants the pastor to focus on them. It reminds me of having

multiple vacuum cleaners all sucking the pastors’ strength when they want their

vacuum cleaner attached to God. I think I would make a terrible pastor because I

would be telling some members of the congregation to stop focusing on their

drama and look up. It’s not about you, it’s about God! I can see myself doing a

sermon where most of it would be praying to God and being in awe of Him. I wouldn’t

concern myself with the hymns or the theatrics to serve the congregation.

Instead, I would attempt to have Christ completely happy. Pastors, you have my

respect for trying.

Today, I am going to start saying to my guys that the world doesn’t revolve

around them. The world revolves around something much bigger. Yes, I am here

to help and part of that helping is for all of us to start looking up instead of in

the mirror. Now that is actually showing true love toward them!

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Christmas and Christ – Body and Mind, Love

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“So don’t let anyone judge you about eating or drinking or about a festival, a

new moon observance, or Sabbaths. These religious practices are only a

shadow of what was coming—the body that cast the shadow is Christ. Don’t

let anyone who wants to practice harsh self-denial and worship angels rob you

of the prize. They go into detail about what they have seen in visions and have

become unjustifiably arrogant by their selfish way of thinking.”

Colossians 2:16-18 CEB

https://www.bible.com/37/col.2.16-18.ceb

I personally value Christmas time. Yes, Christmas resulted from a recipe of Pagan

and Christian thoughts, but Christmas itself is a time when the MASS celebrates

Christ. It’s a time to be with family and thank Christ for saving us through His

Blood and sacrifice. I know some groups choose not to celebrate Christmas and

that’s fine. However, we should all honor the choices of others.

I like anything that reminds all of us of Christ. Words cannot describe what He

and His Father gave to us. Imagine an unlimited Spirit who has EVERYTHING but

still wants our love and returns it manifold. It really is mind-boggling when one

thinks about the magnitude of what I just said. I remind myself of this fact many

times and remain in complete awe.

God Bless you and Merry Christmas. May you have a wonderful season. For

those who do not celebrate Christmas God Bless you too. Please take this time

to be with loved ones and marvel at the gift Christ gave us starting with His

birth.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Dilemmas – Reflection, Love

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

“You husbands must also live in a good way with your wives. Each of you should

be kind to his wife and help her. Remember that she is not as strong as you are.

Remember that both of you have received true life from God because he is

kind. So, respect her. Then God will answer you when you pray to him.”

1 Peter 3:7 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/1pe.3.7.easy

I always wondered why it took so long for God to answer my prayers when I

asked him what I should do with my now ex-wife. I wanted to take divorce

seriously. Should I continue to try even though I am so unhappy? Does my

happiness even matter? Am I being selfish? I know God takes divorce very

seriously and really needed His advice. If I must remain unhappy but serve God, I

remain unhappy.

Finally, there were a series of events that happened to give me an answer. One

of the main answers came like this. I moved out and stayed with my mom and

dad. I needed time to really think about what to do. I really needed God to drive me

and was just not getting a response. At least I felt I wasn’t getting a response

when really I was. I was just not listening. After a few months, it was my now

ex-wife who filed for divorce. Since it was she (instead of I) that started the legal

process, I received my answer. It really was God’s way to take this most difficult

dilemma out of my hands.

I think the reason why I got a response is that I truly wanted his guidance

and would continue trying or remain unhappy if that’s His Will. It really wasn’t

about me entirely (but partly because I was unhappy). I suppose the motives I

had that I saw were unselfishly resulting in God responding. I think if there was

any hint of selfishness, God would not have helped me come to an answer.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

God, me, and my heart – Love, Spending Time with Ke Akua

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 15:00:20 +0000

I would like to share a place very special to me. It’s the back deck in my home. As the sun goes down, I spend personal time with God nightly. Most of the time I thank Him for even giving a small sinner like me the time of day. I renew my promise to Him that all I can give is my deep love for Him and show that love every day by having Him always at the top of my thoughts. At times, I break down in joyous tears because the love I feel is so intense. I know He is literally arm’s length away from me just like Paul explained in Acts 17:27. When I talk, I don’t need fancy words. I just need a sincere heart. I let my heart do all the talking. The words that come out just naturally flow. It’s one of the main times I am not lost for words. I know He is listening and can sometimes literally feel the wind die down as I pour out my heart.

I have also prayed while watching the sunset go down in Hawaii and boy is that rewarding! Having the trade winds hit my face and hearing the sound of the waves crash in while having a heart-to-heart with our Creator is like having a taste of heaven. I find the more secluded I am, the better the conversation so I always go to a secluded beach or a ridge. The peace and love that surrounds me can bring even the most stubborn man to break down. It’s more fulfilling than anything else I could imagine. I find as I pour out my love to Him, He pours it out back. It really reinforces the fact that nothing in this world matters and that all the true rewards are beyond. I am not afraid so I really don’t care what happens on this earth. I know He cares for me and if I need to suffer, I still will remain grateful because I have Him.

All you can give God is your deep love. You have nothing more to offer Him. When you love the most is when it’s just you and Him. One on One. Be prepared to have Him come closer. Be prepared to tear up with joy. Be prepared to walk away fulfilled. Be prepared to have a direction in your life that glorifies Him. Feel confident that you have found the true treasure. Be prepared to have God reveal more of Him to you. Be honored by having the privilege to be loved by Him in ways I can’t explain.

Time alone with God and having a heart talk will stir your spirit in a way unimaginable. No fancy words are needed just pure, sincere conversation focused on Aloha. Ke Akua pu…in private.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Recalibrate – Love, Mistakes

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 04:50:00 +0000

“I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises. I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.”

Psalms 101:1-8 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.101.1-8.NKJV

I am the worst sinner I know. When I last came to God asking for forgiveness, I promised Him that not a day would go by without focusing on Him. Every day, I get into the Word. Every day, I recalibrate by self-consciously focusing on Him and staying clear of the world around me. I spend my time admiring His work around me. I prefer to be alone with Him as then I am never truly alone. This does not mean I’m a hermit. It just means I stopped listening to bad news, entertainment that approves and/or glorifies sin, politics and the economy and those people who slander others and gossip. I have kept my promise to God for almost 2 years now and frankly have never felt more peaceful and fulfilled in my entire life.

As for Sin, I too hate it but sometimes still commit it. I am often reminded of David who sinned terribly with Bathsheba but repented with sincerity and was fully forgiven. I am also reminded of Paul who was a persecutor that transformed into a devout follower of Christ. I know I fall short of the Glory of God but I at least try to meet some standards with effort. Just like David and Paul, I can never repair the damage I have done through sin but I can at least change and move forward to Christ.

After Adam and Eve, we all have inherited the Sin virus. We all are victim to the prowling lion ready to devour us. We all can destroy ourselves with a self-deception that only us matters. God can be easy to forget. The wonderful thing is God has grace and forgiveness to those who sincerely repent. God understands the virus and it’s impossibility to completely alienate until His return.

I think God is pleased with me keeping my daily promise to Him to recalibrate every day without fail. I plan this time to never fall away from that promise. It’s the very least I can do as the worst sinner I know who received grace from the All Mighty who frankly owes me nothing.

Are you or have you truly recalibrated with God?

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Love surrounded by chaos? – Love

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 05:18:00 +0000

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

Romans 13:1-7 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/rom.13.1-7.nkjv

As one treks through the Bible, they come across passages that they do not agree with. In this passage, one must submit entirely to governing authorities as they are appointed by God. That commandment is easy in democratic, freedom loving governmental systems but much harder in violent, corrupt and oppressive nations. How about nations who were freedom loving and were conquered by an oppressive governmental system? Could the American Revolution be an example of violating this Biblical passage? Perhaps not if one considers that the American Revolution resulted in the greater good and has stood the test of time. I’m on the fence on this one because of this passage. Maybe God institutes changing governmental systems on His timetable? If that is the case, change doesn’t happen by us but by Him? So, therefore it is He who makes changes but we are not to be involved? Boy, that makes this passage even more perplexing!

As obedience is also a commandment of God, there are going to be times when believers do not agree with what God commands but follow His Will out of love. As James says:

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

James 1:21-25 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/jas.1.21-25.nkjv

I suppose the best way to handle this is take each day at a time and not bother looking beyond our personal sphere of influence. Even though the World is large and diverse, we must look up and love others who we meet regardless of the governmental system controlling us. Perhaps the reason why God’s Will is to have us not worry about who controls what is so we can focus on our small worlds with love and Him. Regardless of what is going on around me, I must remain peaceful and love those around me. I guess if all of us loved each other as commanded, we would not need to talk about oppression in the first place? Perhaps, as believers, we are the oasis of love and peace among the desert.

Reading on in Romans 13, my thinking is confirmed:

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:8-10 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/rom.13.8-10.nkjv

Even Jesus confirms:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

John 13:34-35 NKJV

https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.13.34-35.nkjv

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Rules and Beauty – Love, Love One Another

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 06:01:00 +0000

“The Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe. They will obey spirits that tell lies. And they will follow the teachings of demons. Those teachings come through people who tell lies and trick others. These evil people cannot see what is right and what is wrong. It is like their conscience has been destroyed with a hot iron. They say that it is wrong to marry. And they say that there are some foods that people must not eat. But God made these foods, and those who believe and who understand the truth can eat them with thanks. Everything that God made is good. Nothing he made should be refused if it is accepted with thanks to him. Everything he created is made holy by what he has said and by prayer.”

https://www.bible.com/406/1ti.4.1-5.erv

You are beautiful because everything God created is beautiful. Even though everyone makes mistakes through Sin, deep inside is beauty. I have always said if I can’t find even one good thing about someone, that’s my fault. Sometimes I will do an exercise on finding three good things in the most evil people in history and I’m always successful. It makes me realize that even the most evil do have beauty somewhere. Sometimes I think God wants us to do this exercise so we become stronger as Christians.

I concur with scripture on rituals. I personally do not believe in Kosher, pork is bad, beef is bad or anything God created is bad. He created it for a reason. I suppose that’s why I am not a vegetarian. Don’t get me wrong. People who choose to abstain from certain foods is perfectly fine but that’s their choice, not God’s Laws. Sometimes, we confuse God’s Will with our or other wills. Following God’s Will frankly is quite straight forward. It need not be complicated with man-made religious rules. Thank God for the Bible to make things clearer.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Crazy Love – Love

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 06:15:00 +0000

“God has raised you with Christ to a new life. So, you should want more and more the things that belong to heaven. That is where Christ is now. He sits there at God's right side. So think about the good things that are there in heaven above. Do not think only about things that are on the earth. Remember that your old nature has died. God is keeping your new life safe with Christ. You have that new life because you belong to Christ. One day, Christ will show himself clearly to everyone. Then everyone will see that you are with him. They will see that you also are great, like he is.”

https://www.bible.com/2079/col.3.1-4.easy

One of my favorite authors is Francis Chan. If you are looking for a great read, check out his book called “Crazy Love.” His book themes on Christians examining their faith and focusing on the eternal. If you are obsessed with God as I am, I am sure you will enjoy his book.

What I really like about Francis Chan’s work is he repeatedly emphasizes we are to be looking up instead of looking around. We are to assess whether we are “luke warm” Christians or “Hot” about Christ. His descriptions really aids in someone self-evaluating their faith and measuring it against those who are in crazy love with God.

To give you one example, Francis Chan used the analogy of Moses versus God himself. He asks the question of who you truly follow. Do you follow Moses or God himself? What he means by this is he believes many of us revere the pastor or religious personality when we should be revering God. We, in essence, allow Moses to climb the mountain towards God instead of climbing the mountain ourselves. We settle for human leadership instead of God centered biblical teaching and deep loving prayer. His thinking centers around the idea that the gold ring of life is God himself not the messengers God sends to aid us in our faith. We should see the messenger for what it is.

So, if you really want to assess the degree of your hotness towards God, Francis Chan’s Crazy Love book is for you!

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha'o Blog Contributor

Alberta - Canda

Wash My Feet – Love

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 06:19:00 +0000

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.””

https://www.bible.com/59/jhn.13.3-10.esv

These verses prelude a wonderful story.

I would like to introduce my cousin Dave Brosh. Dave was very close to God and his Spirit shined like a bright star in the night. Everywhere I went, people constantly asked me if I knew Dave Brosh. They loved him. He just had a way about him that attracted people like bees to honey. Although I think I met him once, I knew what a great person he was just by the fact everyone spoke well of him. He was a teacher, active in his Church, loved minor league baseball, helped others when he could and had nothing but good to say about other people. He loved them and they loved him. Above all, he had a deep love for Jesus Christ and his Heavenly Father.

In his early 40’s Dave was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer. He had the worse form possible. He was terminal. I understand he was strong throughout and had a glowing peace on his face. His faith in Christ and his Heavenly Father never wavered.

What really grabbed me was one of his last words were:

What does it mean when Jesus is washing your feet?

Wow, what a powerful statement!

So, Dave is a living testament to the power of Christ. I do believe that day Christ did wash his feet to comfort and tell him he is greatly loved. What an honor and hearing stories like this drive me to dream of getting my feet washed by Christ one day.

In memory of Him, I would like to share where the Dave Brosh field is located.

https://verview.com/biz/9526230-dave-brosh-field-calgary-alberta

This is simply a token of how he is loved and remembered by both God and his neighbors.

by Kent Brosh - Calgary, Alberta - Canada

@ Kawaiahao Blog Contributor