Saved – Kawaiahaʻo Church

Saved – Bible Study, Body and Mind, Ke Akua, Reflection, Saved

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000

““You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and

whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who

is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother

will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the

hell of fire.”

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/mat.5.21-22.esv

““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to

you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already

committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Matthew 5:27-28 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/mat.5.27-28.esv

Matthew 5 is a wonderful chapter to really understand God’s Laws. When one

looks at what Jesus says, he says not acting out the Sin doesn't mean you have

not sinned. So, if you don't commit the sin but have sinful thoughts, you are just

as guilty of committing the sin.

What does this really mean? When you are a true Christian, your heart has been

purified through the Holy Spirit. It means leaning on the finished work of Christ

and God’s grace to receive salvation is crucial because you will never reach

God’s perfection.

How do we really know then we are saved? Once you accept Christ as your

savior, repent of your sins, and have a loving, regular relationship with God, you

notice a change within yourself. In my case, I have noticed I'm not an angry person

anymore. I think differently about so many things. I think about how I can better

help others. I look at my bank account and savings and see them as numbers

versus anything of value. As a matter of fact, I have been praying to ask God

where he wants these numbers shared. I care less and less about this world. I am

completely satisfied with meeting basic needs. I am easy to forgive when before

I held grudges. I want to read the Bible and listen to sermons more and more. I

want to pray more. I have gratitude for how well God cares for me. I am not

afraid. I am more apt to be truthful than hurt feelings. I have transformed

internally in thoughts and desires. I gradually realize my outward veneer

matches my inward heart. I don't feel fake by looking outwardly good when

inwardly I am angry, lustful, prideful, greedy, and spiteful. I have peace within.

Yes, Christ helps change you from the inside out. Your inwardness matches your

outwardness. Your heart goes from stone to flesh. Mahalo Ke Akua!

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

God’s Urge – Love One Another, Saved

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The hand of God is simply amazing!

Have you ever had the urge to do something only to find out the party you

supported was actually praying for it? This has happened to me many times.

Allow me to give you one of my latest examples.

I ran into a family when I visited the Philippines about 4 years ago. I remember

when they welcomed me into their home for dinner and unknown to me at the

time, the dad slaughtered his prized goat for dinner. He has nothing else to give

so the goat got it. Fast forwarding, I now send his youngest daughter 10,000

pesos a month so she can have a small room and pay for her schooling. She is

regularly on the Dean’s list. The small room she rents is actually in her dad’s

home. Her dad’s sole income comes from renting five rooms attached to his

small home. Each room potentially brings in about 100 USD a month. Imagine

supporting seven people on that amount. Before, this young lady shared a room

that was 10 feet by 10 feet with her four sisters and 2 babies. Imagine trying to

study in an environment like that! I must say they have never asked for help

from me. I just had the urge to help. I believe it's from the Holy Spirit.

During COVID, this dad had four of his five renters leave as they were laid off

leaving him with just the room I rent for this young lady. I didn't know this at the

time. Supporting 7 people for 100 dollars a month would be challenging, to say

the least. One night, I had this nagging urge to rent a room for all his daughters.

So, I contacted this dad and asked him if he had any rooms left to rent. He

paused and asked me why I'm asking? I told him I would like to rent 4 more

rooms for the other 4 girls. He says to me, “God answered my prayers! I can

now feed everyone!”

Later, I found out through a friend that this family was picking food out of trash

cans around Manila to scrape up dinner. Their electric power was cut off and they

were on the verge of losing their home. No one told me, including the young

lady I support. It was the urge that told me to help.

Yes, God does work in amazing ways!

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Hospital for Sinners – Saved, Today

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:00:00 +0000

What really is Church? Why do we join a Church? Yes, Church is a beautiful

social component. I have read many a story lately on how Lockdowns and

restrictions have depressed those who miss in-person contact, especially in

Church. A Church is really a wonderful gift from God. It helps us sinners stay

focused on God. We receive strength in numbers. It’s a place of complete peace.

Think about it this way. Can you think of any Church that doesn’t feel peaceful? I

honestly can’t think of any that I have visited. Maybe, that’s also why people

miss not attending Church in person.

A church to me is a hospital for sinners. I am a sinner, I remain a sinner and I

need God first to alleviate my Sin. God gives me a spiritual hospital and that’s

Church. I often think the Bible is medicine for sinners too. So, we have a hospital

that gives us a regular dose of medicine that relieves the pain of sin. Hmmm.

I wonder if Kahu Ken sees himself as the Doctor of Sin? Maybe he should wear a

cape. Are the Deacons nurses of sin? Perhaps, the congregation can both be

patients of sin and counselors of love. Boy, can this get deep?

Thank God for the hospital of sin. There is no cure for sin but at least there are

treatments for all of us that alleviate the pain of sin.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

God’s Wrath – Saved, Truth

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:00:00 +0000

“After these things, I heard a sound like the voices of very many people in

heaven. The crowd of people was shouting, ‘We praise the Lord our God! He

has saved us! He is really powerful! We say that he is great! Everything that he

decides is right and fair. He has decided to punish that great prostitute. She led

people on the earth to do bad things. She has led them to worship idols. It is like

she led people to have sex in the wrong way. She killed God's servants with her

own hands. Because of all that, God has now punished her. So, we praise him!’

Then the crowd of people in heaven shouted again, ‘We praise the Lord our

God! The smoke from the fire that burns that city will go up forever.’”

Revelation 19:1-3 EASY

https://www.bible.com/2079/rev.19.1-3.easy

I used to delude myself into thinking a loving God would never punish. Who am I

to make this judgment call? In Revelation, those in Heaven clearly

celebrate God’s Wrath because He is just and fair. It kind of reminds me of when

people in a Courtroom praise God when a convicted killer receives fair justice for

their crime(s). Or, when people in the courtroom are outraged when they think

justice was not served in balance to the crime committed.

God thinks at a much higher level than us. Our little opinions don’t matter.

That’s why we are to put God first. It’s because, whether we like it or not, we

know very little and He knows everything. He is balanced in love, mercy, and

justice better than any judge on this earth could imagine. Just like God, there

are many loving worldly judges who gives death sentences to those who

commit crimes. God sees all crime as sin.

So, God will hand out hard sentences to those who think they are nice people

but remain unrepentant sinners. Thank God for Jesus to give us a chance to be

saved!

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

Forgiven: Isn’t it amazing? – Saved, Spending Time with Ke Akua

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 04:13:00 +0000

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day

and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Selah For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

Psalms 32:1-11 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.32.1-11.NKJV

I have known about Jesus since I was six. My mom explained Jesus to me and, because she was my mom, I believed her. I would bounce between Jesus and my own way most of my life. Yes, there were times I dove into sin with both feet. Actually, I think it was more like a belly flop than a dive. Each time I wavered, my head was lower in shame asking God to forgive me again. Yes, I couldn’t seem to make the faith stick to me like glue. I was a Teflon Don sliding off like the fried eggs I made. I was unfocused like the kids I taught with ADHD. Distracted by world around me, I would focus on whatever I saw benefitted me.

Like most stories that look wonderful, the house of cards fell on me. What do I do? I can fix this. The more I tried, the more I realized I was peddling against the current up a waterfall. Okay then, get on my knees again?

Fast forwarding, my faith became solid because this time I built a good foundation (remember Matthew 7: 24-27?). Just like David’s nose dive into sin, I knew I was forgiven. What a wonderful thing to be forgiven! I remind myself of what a great gift I was given when I need to forgive others. It doesn’t matter what sin(s) you have done. What matters is to lean on God for forgiveness and cleansing. Next time, remember to use cement on the foundation instead of sand you got from the beach. I think taking truckloads of sand from the beach in Hawaii might be illegal anyway.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Baptism doesn’t save. Your believing heart and repentance does – Believe, Saved

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 04:17:00 +0000

“But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.””

Acts 8:9-12, 18-23 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/act.8.9-23.NKJV

Baptism doesn’t save you. It is a response or public declaration of your faith and full belief in Christ. Without full, sincere repentance before God, you are not saved. You can be saved by God without baptism. Do you remember the thief on the cross beside Jesus? He was saved the day he died without any possibility of being baptized. There are actually people out there who have been baptized but are not saved and people never baptized who are saved.

So, how do you really know you are saved? You start to and continue to change from the inside out. You begin to hate sin. You have a strong desire to pray. You start to see pieces of your life that paved the way to greater good. You can look back and understand why you are where you are at in life now. You genuinely want to listen to sermons. You want to learn the Bible more. Your mouth gets cleaner and your thoughts about others become more positive. You internally place God first in your life. You make time for him. You never say you didn’t have time. You start to have things pop in your head that seem to come from nowhere and these things are aligned to God’s word. You naturally talk about the Lord in conversations at amazing times. It’s like you are a messenger for God and you know exactly what to say to plant a seed in someone else. You repel evil thoughts in your head and pray afterwards asking God to protect you from the evil one. You are quick to ask God to forgive you for your evil thoughts and ask for His strength to do better. You know you are saved by how much your world view changes. You know you are saved with 100 percent surety and never waver on that belief. You thank God for the good and bad in your life because you trust Him and His Will. You build a natural humility where God’s Will takes priority instead of your selfish desires. You are a lover of truth and want to correct those deceived in a gentle, loving way. You want the Bible near because it’s your guide. You see the beauty that God created around you and praise him on His handiwork regularly. Your words to others are loving and gentle but bold. You hate no one and pray to forgive them if they trespassed against you. You hold no anger.

Although outwardly rituals are nice, they don’t confirm salvation. Examine yourself as only you can know if you are saved. Do you see the changes deep inside you gradually bearing fruit? Has God gradually become your top priority in life? Have your priorities truly changed? Do you feel peace no matter how the world around you is functioning? Are you unafraid of death but still have a desire to live to serve the Lord as long as He deems necessary? Do you truly feel this world is temporary and whatever happens happens? Do your words to others lovingly tell truths and flow in a way you never experienced before? If not, pray and ask God to drive your life with full sincerity and watch your prayers get answered through internal changes before your eyes.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

The Door – Saved

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 05:11:00 +0000

The Door

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

John 10:9 NKJV

https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.10.9.NKJV

“…The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!””

Revelation 5:12 GNBUK

https://bible.com/bible/296/rev.5.12.GNBUK

“The blood on the doorposts will be a sign to mark the houses in which you live. When I see the blood, I will pass over you and will not harm you when I punish the Egyptians. You must celebrate this day as a religious festival to remind you of what I, the LORD, have done. Celebrate it for all time to come.””

Exodus 12:13-14 GNBUK

https://bible.com/bible/296/exo.12.13-14.GNBUK

As one delves deeper in the Bible, they see linkages reflecting the perfection of God. As you get deeper in the Word, you can see tie ins everywhere in perfect harmony that only God can complete. That’s why one can read the Bible every day for the rest of their lives and garner new things all the time.

Here is just one tie in:

In John, Jesus says He is the door. No one enters Heaven any other way. Now, let’s look at Exodus. God told His people to smear sacrificial Lamb’s blood on their door for protection from harm. Guess how they were to smear the blood? They would smear vertically and then horizontally. Yes, the blood smear was in a form of a cross. Now, think about the significance of the cross. As the final sacrifice, Jesus poured out His blood as He was dying on the cross as a substitute for us. In Revelation, He is called the lamb of God.

Father,

Thank you for showing me your perfection in the Word. Your Word is like a perfectly tuned orchestra that only You can do. Please continue to teach me your perfection. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada

Helping a Sinner – Lies, Mistakes, Saved

Kawaiahaʻo Church — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 06:24:00 +0000

“This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”

And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.””

https://www.bible.com/114/jhn.8.6-11.nkjv

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

https://www.bible.com/114/jas.5.19-20.nkjv

“And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”

https://www.bible.com/114/jud.1.22-23.nkjv

Working with the Disabled who have mental health issues, I had to learn how to change behavior. Frankly, what I have learned has mainly come from the Bible. This approach actually works in many situations when one wants someone to change for the better. This approach even works when you are having loving discussions with those lost from Christ or deceived away from Christ.

The three key concepts are:

1. Do not condemn and be generous with forgiveness:

We are all sinners. When Jesus was writing on the sand, He was actually writing each Sin down that the accusers committed (John 8: 6-8). His point was they are just as guilty of Sin as the one they are accusing. Jesus told the woman He does not condemn her either (so she is justified) but do not sin again (repent and sanctify).

2. Be humble and compassionate (All 3 verses) :

When approaching and talking with others, always separate the person from the behavior or destructive thoughts. We all make mistakes. Understand their rationale, mirror their thinking by rephrasing what they said, asking good questions and respond with a thought provoking answer. I find many times, I simply plant a seed of rationale and let God do the rest. When you turn a brother or sister, you are doing God’s work and saving a soul.

3. In extreme situations, take control (Jude 1 passage): When I have had a person raging out of control, I need to take the bull by the horns. I have been known to give firm, short, directive conversations on serious, life threatening behavior. However, I am quick to turn back to humility and compassion once the other person gains back their rationality. Think of how the police operate. When they are in the heat of the incident, they are very directive. However, once things cool down, they become more civil and respectful.

by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor

Alberta, Canada