The greatest points of children is that they never think of what other people will think of them. They never mind people around. They have their own way that they should do. They are full of energy to do anything. It's a blessing to sing to the Lord with those loving children. It is God who gives praises to children. The main message of today's sermon can be found in verses 7 and 8. Deuteronomy consists of Moses' sermons to the Children of Israel. From chapter 1 to 1:5, Moses looks back and recalls what God did for them. And, from 1:5 to the end of chapter 3, Moses writes down what he and his people experienced.

For a whole year, after they came out of Egypt, the Israelites stayed on Mt. Horeb. During their journey, God protected and guided people by cloud in the day and by fire at night. During their life of 40 years in the desert together, they learned how to live with God. And, this applies directly to we Christians today. God told them that if they were willing to follow and obey Him, they would receive blessings from God even down to their future descendants. But, they failed to do it, which caused them to leave their own place wandering all over the world.

It is always difficult for us to know God's will. It looks and seems almost impossible for us to do it. We are likely to judge by the visible situations only. Remember Abraham's nephew, Lot, who chose a large place to live in. He thought it was so big, rich and attractive. But, later, he found out that it was a place full of sin, and God decided to get rid of it. It is again so hard to tell God's will that we often fail in it. But here are some helpful things for you to try: Test your mind - see if you have peace in contemplating what you are going to try; Ask one or two of your regular prayer partners about your prayer request. Since God is one - His will will be one; so if it is right for you to do a thing, you will each receive the same answer from God. If that's the way for you to go, in God's guidance and will, the door will be wide open.

It is painful for me to share this morning, I do have an experience to share about when I did not follow God's guidance. When I was going to a bible college, I heard God's voice to take on the work of a country evangelist. Reverend Koji Honda, who is now over 80 years old and has been greatly used in this area, spoke to me. He encouraged me to stand up and travel about Japan preaching the Gospel with him. Though I clearly heard God order me to get up I did not obey Him. After graduation, I just returned back home to my mission to take over the role of pastor there. I did not obey God's voice. While I was going to my bible college, I was sure that I was gifted in ministering the Gospel to those who had never heard it before. Whenever I gave a message, people's faces shone, expecting my sermons to be full of jokes and strong words from God to come. As you know, my wife has been sick and weak - for the past 30 years of my life as a pastor, she has been sick, suffering from many aches. I now know that this hardship came from my disobedience to God's calling.

When we disobey God there is no blessing at all. I was called to be an evangelist, and I do want people to be saved! I like going out to the world to spread out God's words. But, God gradually took His blessing and gift away from me. Recently, my sermons have become boring and sometimes hard to understand.

Today's scripture reading is one that has been given to me personally. I need to change my direction! I didn't obey Him, but now I am repenting of this, and will follow Him in the direction He shows me.

In proclaiming that I am changing, I will make full use of Little House Church [Grace Chapel] downtown. For this year, as our new work to start, we will be dividing into two groups; one group will stay with Chapel Noah, and the second group shall be the first leaders at the church downtown; to be spread out to the world as a witness.

Of course, we need to give much more and earnest prayer to this plan; if it's really to be a directive from God. [That is, if we are going to accept this as a directive from God, we must test it in pray, and action] Only those who hear God's words for them are to get up and make up their minds to follow Him in this. Read verses 9 to 13.

Translated by Junko Okamoto - Edited for the Net by Shido
For another sermon see: Oita Evangelical Christ Church
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