Author: editors

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I Am A Christian

As the US was founded as a Christian nation, we have an awesome heritage. Being a Christian is a choice, not a heriditary gift passed down just because dad, mom, or Grandma was a Christian.

It is still popular for politicians to say they are Christian, but in most cases not really demonstrate what being a Christian is all about; being “like Christ”. I saw this video of the current US president and it got me thinking;

So what does is Yashua say a Christian is? He answers the lawyer (maybe not too far off from a politician) in Luke 10. Check it out-

25 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?”
27 And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD [YAHWEH] YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”

God will judge everyone for their actions. However, as a believer, we’ve got to be wise about discerning the true believers from the false. Yashua said you will know a tree by its fruit. A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit.

If someone says they are a Christian, their lives should prove it by a living daily relationship with the Almighty God. You still have to carefully consider their actions and not blindly follow any man or woman.

God is SO good!

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Japan Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Japan

Japan Map

LAND AREA:

377,899 sq km

POPULATION:

127.8m (February 2008)

MAIN TOWNS:

Population in millions (October 2006)

Tokyo (capital; 23 central wards): 8.5

Yokohama: 3.6

Osaka: 2.6

Nagoya: 2.2

Sapporo: 1.9

Kobe: 1.5

Kyoto: 1.5

Fukuoka: 1.4

CLIMATE:

Generally temperate with seasonal winds and typhoons in September-October and, on the Japan Sea side, heavy snow in December- February

WEATHER:

IN TOKYO (ALTITUDE 5.3 METRES): Hottest month, July, 28.5 C; coldest month, January, 4.9 C (2001 data); driest month, February, 23 mm rainfall; wettest month, October, 343 mm rainfall (2001 data)

LANGUAGES:

Japanese

MEASURES:

Mainly metric system. Some local measures are: 1 tsubo=3.3 sq metres; 1 sun=3 cm; 1 ri=4 km; 1 kairi=1.8 km (used for sea distances)

TIME:

9 hours ahead of GMT

CURRENCY:

Yen (¥)=100 sen; average exchange rates in 2007: ¥117.8:US$1, ¥161.2:€1, ¥235.7:£1; exchange rates on March 31st 2008: ¥99.7:US$1, ¥157.7:€1, ¥197.8.1:£1

FISCAL YEAR:

April 1st-March 31st

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

January 1st, 14th; February 11th; March 20th; April 29th; May 3rd-5th; July 21st; September 15th, 23rd; October 13th; November 3rd, 23rd; December 23rd

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Guidelines for Young Readers

For young guys and gals who love to read, that is wonderful. You will really excel the more you read. We all need to remember that the Bible says to protect our hearts diligently (Proverbs 4:20-22). Therefore I drafted a little list of a few guidelines you can be thinking about when you are selecting a book or even beginning to read a book.

If you find any of the below elements in the book, then you probably don’t want to read it. These elements are-

1) Foul Language
2) Sexual overtones
3) A Storyline with darkness such as witchcraft, magic and other evil themes
4) Abusive, tense or suffering situations

If you see any of this put the book down, return it to the library, do whatever you can to distance yourself from that book as it will hurt you more than help you.

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Victory Praise Concert- 27 June 2009

Our first promotional video for Victory Word Church. We are all very excited about our first Victory Praise Night!

People are coming, prayer is being made, practicing is being done. It is so neat to see our Awesome God bringing everything together. Check out our first promotional video for Victory Praise Night below.

Come if you can (and even if you can’t). God is breaking through in Japan, as we the church rise up!

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From The Top of Tokyo

May is Golden Week season in Japan. People usually get 3 working days off as three holidays are put together to create a nice vacation.

tokyoskylinefromtoyosu

Enjoyed some time with my family at my sis-in-law’s house in Toyosu. We had a great time, but you would be amazed at how small the condominiums are in Tokyo. We went to the top of their tower 45 floors up, and had some good views of the city, the Tokyo bay, and North towards Tokyo Disneyland.

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Smith Wigglesworth

preaching_smith

When looking at different men and women of God that have lived on this earth there aren’t many that seem to compare with Smith Wigglesworth. This guy is amazing.

Never have I seen such a man born into poverty with such a heart for people. He was really a rags to riches story because he worked so hard. When he got filled with the Holy Spirit, there was no stopping the guy. Such compassion for people. He traveled the world and was able to minister to hundreds of thousands of people.. It must be more than that even.

As Spirit-filled Christians, of course we study the gifts of the Spirit and the working of miracles. King Jesus tells us-

John 14:12
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

God promised us that we would do even greater works. Some cultural Christian folks, say that those works are something that only Jesus could do because He was the Son of God.  Or worse yet, they say signs and wonders ended with the deaths of Jesus’ friends (the apostles).  They are in denial.  No where in any Bible does it say anything that.

Smith Wiggleworth is a case in point.  I want to be more like Jesus!  Wigglesworth is a great spiritual role model.

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Resurrection Day- Tokyo Churches

2009-sakura-2

Special thanks to everyone!  Resurrection day this last Sunday was the best ever.

Our church is growing, people are getting saved, people are getting physical healings, miracles are happening, and God is moving in our worship.

We started Victory as there were very few churches that teach Bible faith, believe in and allow the gifts of the Spirit, and flow in an anointed message as well as music.

It is awesome to see more and more people coming and being changed.  We believe Victory is going to be a spiritual spark, then a fire, then a major burn of the Holy Spirit in Japan.

Thank you so much for being a part of what God is doing in Japan!

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Two Types of Christians

Rodney Brown

There seem to be many groups of Christians out there, but really it is not that complex. Of course, you can sub-divide, splice, and dice however; but simply put, there are just two groups-

1) Cultural Christians
2) Committed Christians

What’s the difference?

CULTURAL
In general, Cultural Christians are ‘Christian’ because mama, papa, or some other relative was a Christian. They are usually not filled with the Spirit of God (although they think everyone is ‘filled’ when they are saved Romans 10:8,9) and tend to focus on keeping rules or ‘the law’ over having a personal relationship with the Almighty Yahweh. They are more focused on things and tend to try to force people into their mold. Like some older people they can get cranky, and sometimes aggressive with people who don’t agree with them.

Cultural Christians are the sparks that many times turn unbelievers away from God through legalism, criticism, personal failure, or just plain lack of joy. Who wants to be a Christian if you have to be like Joe who is losing life’s battles, attacking people not like him and saying how ‘blessed’ he is?

Cultural Christians can be members of any denomination, Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, or even some of the newer groups such as Assembly of God. Cultural Christians have an incredible opportunity. When they draw need to God, He promises to draw near to them.

Their challenge is to ‘unlearn’ those religious teachings that are not in line with the Word of God and see the Word of God through the fresh eyes not cluttered by cultural or traditional religion that leads away from the Creator. For most it is a gradual process of renewing their mind according to the Word of God (Romans 12:2).

COMMITTED
Committed Christians are usually filled with the Holy Spirit of Yahweh and have a passion for people just like Jesus the Messiah does. They seem to be joyful no matter what, and other people are drawn to them. They are hard to keep out of church and go because they are addicted to getting into His presence. They may or may not have a ‘Christian’ background. Their desire is the same as the Father, they want to all people get into Kingdom through accepting Jesus as their Messiah (or savior).

These Christians are many times called Pentacostal, Charismatic, or Spirit-filled Christians as well because actively see the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. Healings, speaking in tongues, prophecies, and other supernatural signs are usually common among them. Committed Christians can be members of any denomination, but seem to be most prevalent at newer church groups and organizations. There are streams of Committed Christians even in the older organization such as the Catholic church.

If you are going to be a Christian you want to be a Committed Christian. It takes a bit of work, especially if you are coming from a Cultural Christian background. However, once you shake off the unscriptural traditions and culture that has hold you back, you can enter into God’s presence and begin to experience the plans He had for mankind from the Garden. To fellowship with His people daily and have a living relationship with them.