Author: RCCM

↓Audio link to the sermon: (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) King David of the Bible would say: it is worse to be betrayed by a friend than attacked by an enemy. He wrote in Psalm 55 verse 12-13: “For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.” Have you ever been let down by a friend? By a family member? By your company, or a group you belong to? They were supposed to

What is the most extravagant gift you have ever received? Take a few moments to think about it. Who gave it to you, and what did you do with it? Today’s Bible reading is about extravagant gifts: one that Jesus received and one that Jesus gave. We’ll read the first half of Mark chapter 14. It’s about what happens just before Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and crucified. First, let’s pray. [Read Mark 14:1-25] An extravagant gift to Jesus Our story starts with an unnamed woman pouring out expensive perfume on Jesus’ head. It was so expensive that some people grumbled in verse 5, “Why this waste of perfume? It could

↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) This is the fifth week that we are reading the book of Daniel. So far, I wonder which words or stories from this book spoke to your heart. For me, it was Daniel’s attitude in prayer. In chapter 6 verse 10, it says, “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” I was challenged to pray three times a day, just briefly, to tell God my desires and give thanks to him. I was also greatly encouraged

↓Audio link to the sermon: (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Today, we will read Mark chapter 13, and my message is about waiting for Jesus’ return. Speaking of waiting, I recently had an unpleasant experience waiting for my visa to be renewed. It used to take 4 to 8 weeks. This time, it took 5 months. I finally received my new visa 2 months after the old one expired. It was a long, difficult wait that ended with huge relief. Praise God that, with this visa, I can stay in Japan for another 3 years. The Bible tells us that waiting for Jesus’ return

　↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Today we will read from Daniel chapter 7. This chapter is about a vision Daniel saw and what it means. The book of Daniel is considered apocalyptic literature. Let’s find out what Daniel’s vision reveals and how it relates to God’s great plan of salvation. Last week we read about Daniel’s experience of being protected in the lions’ den by God, the one who rescues and saves. Seeing this, King Darius learned about the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom will never fall. Its reign will last forever. We will see a clearer

↓Audio link to the sermon: (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) I like to play a game with my baby called “Near, Far.” I bring her close to my face while saying “Near,” then move her away while saying “Far”. And I repeat this many times. I love to hear her giggle whenever I bring her near, so close that her nose is almost touching my nose. In the same way, I think God our heavenly Father loves for us to be near. And we, too, experience joy when we feel near to him. In today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus encounters a

↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Today we will read from Daniel chapter 5. The passage shows a big difference between two kings: King Nebuchadnezzar who learned humility in chapter 4, and his son King Belshazzar. It’s truly a shame. A shame that the young king did not learn from the example of his great father. This chapter shows the failure of the proud young king, who could not respond the needs of his country or understand the situation he was in. With that, let us dive into Daniel chapter 5. Reading from verses 1 to 4: “King