Monday, February 4, 2013

Identity in Christ

I hope these Bible verses will remind you whose you are. You belong to HIM. (1 Corinthians 6) You are not identified by your career, husband, wife, house, money, or appearance. You are in Christ. We cannot put our identity in these things...they will never make us complete. Only Jesus will. Thank you Lord for dying on the cross for our sins...thank you for your conditional grace, love, and mercy!


I am God’s child. –John 1:12


I am Christ’s friend. -John 15:15


I have been justified. –Romans 5:1
 

I am united with the Lord and one with him in spirit. -1 Corinthians 6:17


I have been bought at a price; I belong to God. -1 Corinthians 6:20


I am a member of Christ’s body. -1 Corinthians 12:27


I am a saint. –Ephesians 1:1


I have been adopted as God’s child. –Ephesians 1:5


I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. –Ephesians 2:18


I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. –Colossians 1:14

 
I am complete in Christ. –Colossians 2:10


I am free forever from condemnation. –Romans 8:1-2


I am assured that all things work together for good. –Romans 8:28


I am free from any condemning charges against me. –Romans 8:33-34

 
I cannot be separated from the love of God. –Romans 8:35


I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. -2 Corinthians 1:21


I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected. –Philippians 1:6


I am a citizen of heaven. –Philippians 3:20

 
I am hidden with Christ in God. –Colossians 3:3

 
I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:7


I can find grace and mercy to help me in time of need. –Hebrews 4:16


I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. -1 John 5:18


I am the salt and light of the earth. –Matthew 5:13


I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of his life. –John 15:1


I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. –John 15:16
 

I am a personal witness of Christ. –Acts 1:8


I am God’s temple. -1 Corinthians 3:16


I am a minister of reconciliation. -2 Corinthians 5:17


I am God’s coworker. -2 Corinthians 6:1

 
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. –Ephesians 2:6

 
I am God’s workmanship. –Ephesians 2:10


I may approach God with freedom and confidence. –Ephesians 3:12

 
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. –Philippians 4:13

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Mele Kalikimaka

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6
 
Reasons why I love Christmas:
 
-Celebrating Jesus' birth
-Spending time with family
-Time with friends
-Presby Candlelight service...singing carols and lighting our candles
-Another reason to bake cookies
-Nutcracker ballet...getting into the Christmas spirit!
-Japanese food gatherings (homemade sushi and mochi!)
-Downtown shopping and the big tree
-Making new memories and laughing at old ones
-Wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas music on the radio 24/7
-Snowboarding season
-A break from work and busyness...time to rest in Him
-Reminiscing how the Lord has blessed us in 2012
-Stockings, opening presents (seeing their expression), and a big Christmas brunch
-Buying my first Christmas tree...love the smell!
 
It's so nice to be with family again after living in London last year...being so far away from home! But now I miss my London family too. I will always remember celebrating my first British Christmas with mince pies and mulled wine...then partying it up Brazilian style! Sending my love across the pond :)
 
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." -Luke 2:14
 
Haugh Ohana


Christmas morning

Nutcracker PNB

Oishi
 
 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Spiritual Inventory



I was encouraged by reading this article by my Pastor and mentor, Wayne Ogimachi. It's called "Taking Spiritual Inventory" and helped me to examine my walk with Jesus. Hope it will do the same for you!

Here are the key points:

1) Remove the barriers: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." -Hebrews 12:1

2) Commit to persevere: "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...let us not grow weary and lose heart." -Hebrews 12:1,3

3) Stay focused on our Lord: "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:2

How's my...

-RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD...Does He have my heart and soul?
-FAMILY...Am I fully connected with them?
-FRIENDS....Do I enrich and sharpen others as they sharpen me?
-WORK...Does it get my best without driving or owning me?
-LEISURE...Am I balanced?
-FINANCES...Am I a cheerful giver?
-HABITS...What destructive habits hurt me?
-THOUGHTS...Is my mind clean and healthy?
-SPEECH...Is my tongue in check?
-INTEGRITY...What am I hiding?

Wow...so convicting to examine each of these areas.  As Joyce Meyer (one of my favorite authors) says, "I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be."

These are a few of my favorite things...

Eating shave ice with Puppers

Swimming at Turtle beach

Watching surfers and 30 ft waves

Relaxing at Lanikai

Hiking in the rainforest of Hawaii

Reading a book at Ko'Olina

Driving around Kailua

Hanging out with Mom

Recipe of the Week: Easy Quiche

-8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
-1/4 cup butter, softened

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10 inch quiche dish.
  2. In a large bowl, beat together milk, eggs, baking mix, butter and parmesan cheese. Batter will be lumpy. Stir in broccoli, ham and Cheddar cheese. Pour into prepared quiche dish.
  3. Bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes, until eggs are set and top is golden brown.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

photo: HE>i

It's not just about the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin pie...it's about spending quality time with family and friends. :) I am thankful for a relaxing and refreshing time in Hawaii...a chance to catch up on sleep, go to the beach, and appreciate the beauty of the island. Once you leave Hawaii, you realize how good you have it here. North shore, Ko'olina, Lanikai, and Waikiki beach will always have a special place in my heart.

Today, Mom, Puppers and I embarked on a hike in the rainforest of Aiea...I forgot how long the hike was and thought we were lost. It took about 2 1/2 hours. Hiking reminds me of life as a walk of faith. "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  -2 Corinthians 5:7 We just need to take the next step and keep walking, even if we don't know what's next. God says He has plans to prosper us, to give us HOPE and a FUTURE...we just need to keep trusting Him. I kept telling my mom, "just a little further" even though I had no idea where we were going. Thankfully, we made it back and so relieved to see the parking lot.

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving break and a time to thank God for everything He gives. Love and Aloha!

Desiring God

God tells me I'm not alone. Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1–3)

God tells me he will always help me.
I lift up my eyes to the hills —
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip —
he who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
 will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you —
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
 both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 121)

God tells me he has called me for his purpose.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

God tells me nothing in this world is better than knowing Him.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:8–11,14)
God tells me He is more concerned about my heart than my face.
Man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

God tells me he gave his only Son for my sins.
Surely he has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken smitten by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3–5)

God tells me he has a good plan for my life.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God tells me he is changing me to be more like him.
And we all with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed in the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

God tells me nothing can separate me from his love.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us for the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38–39)

God tells me his grace is enough.
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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

God tells me I have hope.
We rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the holy Spirit who has been given to us. But God shows his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:3–4, 8)

God tells me he is good.
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34)

God tells me that this life is short, but I'll live forever with him.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:7,16–18)