Today started out with early prayer time and then off to the store to get some needed food because of the 4 day New Year’s Holiday! There was major blowing snow with -1C temperature at 9:30am. Glad to have snow tires on our car thanks to my friend Mr. Fujinaka who “loans” me a set of snow tires every year for about 3 months! The local discount supermarket was very crowded with last minute shoppers buying up special foods used for the holiday. Some days it would be good to have an “aisle traffic cop” in the stores.
Sharon and Stephanie stayed up until 4am talking last night. This cold weather gives me some extra aches and pains so I went to bed early. Kikuko is coming over for her birthday dinner. She is one of the first members of Gideon’s Army IN Japan (GAIN) having accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior on July 9, 2008. Since then eight people aged 28-100 have confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord. There have been three more in the month of December with the oldest being a 63 year old lady whose husband committed suicide last year. Her daughter became a Christian earlier this year in May. God is working on many previously Buddhist families with grandchildren reaching their parents and even the grandparents with God’s Love. Intercessory prayers from ministry partners all over the world are causing these family doors to be opened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
After returning home I noticed a Christmas card from Singapore. It is from a former Hindu man who worked at a Christian owned hotel I used to stay at when traveling through Singapore. He had a severely handicapped son who was born prematurely with many serious physical problems. A few years ago I put this man on my daily prayer list. When arriving at the hotel he always greeted me with a wide smile declaring, “Welcome home Mr. Corbett”. I took an interest in the welfare of his son praying for him daily and bringing small gifts or Japanese snacks on arrival. Three years ago I traveled there to hold a final church leadership transition meeting. A couple days before my departure an email arrived from the man informing me he was to be baptized the Sunday before my arrival. He later wrote a letter stating that the prayers and acts of kindness were what made him decide to turn to Christ and away from his Hindu gods. PTL!
There have been two Words from the Lord to me the past week that are directed toward the coming 2010 New Year. The first one is that we are to live from the “Fat of the land”. The second is that the New Year’s theme is “Hope in God”. When we first came to Japan in the US military nearly 42 years ago we taught English conversation which opened up doors to share God’ Love with Japanese friends. We were not touched by or concerned with the world’s stock market fluctuations or currency exchange. Then when we came in 1979 we taught English conversation which made up for the lack from the denomination support. In 2009 while being self-supporting, we have been hit with a 15% devaluation of the dollar against the yen. Once again, God is telling us to live primarily from sources of income from within Japan. We would appreciate prayer support in that aspect. We need to hear God's Voice clearly in all we do in 2010, both in ministry and finances.
2009 has been punctuated by wars, economic crises, social and political changes that have left heads spinning not knowing which way to turn. God is still on His Throne. We are the ones who need to change our focus. God’s Word is true and His Promises to supply the needs of His children are still in force. We need to pray, praise and sow seeds of His Love being assured that He will supply all of our needs as He has promised us as His children.
May God bless you richly as you look to Him in 2010!
Dan Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Remember to Forgive
"Forgive and forget!" we often hear people say this. My opinion of that axiom has changed. Instead, I believe that we should REMEMBER to FORGIVE. We also need to remember that we are forgiven. We are forgiven by God for our sins and disobedience. We also need to REMEMBER that we have FORGIVEN others for the pain, offenses, and unkindness they have inflicted on us!
Forgiveness is not an emotional reaction. When understood from a biblical perspective, forgiveness is a conscious choice that is an amazing step of faith. It is crucial in our relationship with God and those around us. Here are just a few well-known scriptures.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. KJV
Matt 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. KJV
Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came to him and asked, "Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?" "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven! TLB
PERSONAL APPLICATION
I have struggled with the part about forgiving and then trying to forget. There have been individuals that have inflicted great undeserved and unprovoked pain in my life. Some of them were Christians and even ministers. It was especially hard because this was not expected from them. At first there was shock and surprise, denial, and then anger. Soon conviction from the Holy Spirit would remind me that I must forgive them. I would pray and ask for God’s help in doing this. But self-preservation would set in. After all, it would not be good for them spiritually if they were to repeat this same mistake. So defenses would be put place to make sure this would not happen again. Of course, this process would impede any true Christian fellowship or being able to work together effectively.
After the war, Fuchida was called on to testify at the trials of some of the Japanese military for Japanese war crimes. This infuriated him as he believed this was little more than "victor's justice". Convinced that the Americans had treated the Japanese the same way and determined to bring that evidence to the next trial, in the spring of 1947, Fuchida went to Uraga Harbor near Yokosuka to meet a group of returning Japanese prisoners of war. He was surprised to find his former flight engineer, Kazuo Kanegasaki, who all had believed had died in the Battle of Midway. When questioned, Kanegasaki told Fuchida that they were not tortured or abused, much to Fuchida's disappointment, then went on to tell him of a young lady who served them with the deepest love and respect, but whose parents, missionaries, had been killed by Japanese soldiers on the island of Panay in the Philippines.
For Fuchida, this was inexplicable, as in the Bushido code revenge was not just permitted, it was a responsibility for an offended party to carry out revenge to restore honor. The murderer of one's parents would be a sworn enemy for life. He became almost obsessed trying to understand why anyone would treat their enemies with love and forgiveness.
In the fall of 1948, Fuchida was passing by the bronze statue of Hachiko at the Shibuya Station when he was handed a pamphlet about the life of Jacob DeShazer, a member of the Doolittle Raid who was captured by the Japanese after his B-25 Mitchell ran out of fuel over occupied China. In the pamphlet "I Was a Prisoner of Japan"[5] DeShazer, himself a former U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant and bombardier, told his story of imprisonment, torture and an awakening to God. Fuchida became more curious about Christianity but couldn't find a Bible at the time in post-war Japan, but in the spring of 1949, again at the statue of Hachiko he met a man from the Pocket Testament League selling the New Testament of the Bible, and he bought one. Later that fall, while reading the Bible, he understood for the first time why the young lady had forgiven her enemies and took his first steps in becoming a Christian. In May 1950, he and Jacob DeShazer met for the first time, as friends. Wikipedia
I have to confess that this subject slipped up on me today when I saw a calendar in the bathroom, of all places. I noticed that today, Dec 7th is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in the USA. Suddenly a flood of thoughts and memories came to mind. I feel a bit overwhelmed about this subject. It is critical to the life of a believer. I am praying God will help me to present to others what He has entrusted to me. Well, here goes!
FORGIVENESS is not EMOTION!
FORGIVENESS is not EMOTION!
Forgiveness is not an emotional reaction. When understood from a biblical perspective, forgiveness is a conscious choice that is an amazing step of faith. It is crucial in our relationship with God and those around us. Here are just a few well-known scriptures.
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. KJV
Matt 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. KJV
Matt 18:21-22 Then Peter came to him and asked, "Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?" "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven! TLB
PERSONAL APPLICATION
I have struggled with the part about forgiving and then trying to forget. There have been individuals that have inflicted great undeserved and unprovoked pain in my life. Some of them were Christians and even ministers. It was especially hard because this was not expected from them. At first there was shock and surprise, denial, and then anger. Soon conviction from the Holy Spirit would remind me that I must forgive them. I would pray and ask for God’s help in doing this. But self-preservation would set in. After all, it would not be good for them spiritually if they were to repeat this same mistake. So defenses would be put place to make sure this would not happen again. Of course, this process would impede any true Christian fellowship or being able to work together effectively.
The forgiving was required and necessary, but I remembered what was done to me. What was forgotten was the fact that, in many cases, I truly did forgive them. When a memory was triggered I would REMEMBER the trespass and FORGET the FORGIVENESS that had taken place. The pain and anger would be rekindled. I spent too much time and effort in trying to forget the offense and would forget that I had truly forgiven the other person. I am not sure how clear this is. Some may disagree and conclude that I did not completely forgive the other person. That is possible, but not the case in many situations. I simply forgot about my step of faith in forgiving the person.
I believe this to be true, for one reason, in that that many believers are troubled in their Christian walk because they FORGET that they have been FORGIVEN! This is why water baptism is important. Baptism is a public testimony witnessed by others that we have received forgiveness from God by faith in Jesus Christ. Those present are our witnesses. It also helps us to remember. Communion was set forth by Jesus so that we would remember and “show forth His death” until He returns in the rapture. Membership in a local body of believers can help us when being attacked by the “accuser of the brethren” a true brother will stand by us reminding us that we are indeed a Child of God and have been forgiven.
FAITH to FORGIVE
Luke 17:3 So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him." 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" NIV Of course, Jesus took this further and told Peter to forgive his brother seventy times seven. All of this cannot be done without faith. It takes faith to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. It takes faith to believe that He has forgiven us of our sins. Faith is also required to FORGIVE and RELEASE someone who has attacked and hurt us or those we love. We believe that God will handle the problem. We believe that He will deal with any debt of punishment or retribution. Rom 12:19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. [Don't take the law into your own hands.] TLB
REMEMBER to FORGIVE
When wronged first of all, remember that you are forgiven by God and others too. Then remember that God has given you the ability, authority and responsibility to forgive that one who hurts you. Ask God to give you the faith, strength and love to forgive the individual. Do so by a conscious act of faith. This can take place in a private prayer to God. It might require a telephone call, email, or visit. In some cases, when this is public then it might take place in a group setting. This must be done in the right spirit. There is no pride involved in true Godly forgiveness. Those who make a show of this have their reward on earth rather than Heaven! In my personal experience, when wronged by someone, God required me to ask them to forgive me. Wow! That was hard. I argued when told to do so. It was just not right or fair. I had been waiting in one case for years for the guilty party to ask my forgiveness. Then God forced me to ask him to forgive me. I did have anger, bitterness and judgment in my heart. Oh, by the way, it works. When done in true repentance and honesty this will method almost always break the barriers of broken fellowship and relationships. For me, it can only be done because of God’s Grace and Love working in me. I cannot do this on my own.
PEARL HABOR DAY of REMEMBERANCE
I did not forget the title of this article. When this came to mind today I got excited because of some wonderful things learned a couple years ago when doing some research on World War II. If possible, I will include three links that you can follow to learn the surprising details behind this historical tragedy.
On December 7, 1941 a large squadron of Japanese airplanes attacked Hawaii. Over 2,000 people were killed and over 1,000 were wounded. America lost a large portion of their battleships and over 200 aircraft. This attack helped bring America fully into the war that had been raging in other parts of the world. As the news of act of war was announced over the radio a sergeant by the name of Jacob DeShazer was stationed on an army base in Oregon. He was said to have shouted, “The Japs are going to have to pay for this”. He definitely was not ready to FORGIVE Japan for the death and misery caused in Hawaii.
In March 1942 DeShazer volunteered to be a part of a top secret mission later known as Doolittle's Raiders. A group of B-25 bombers were launched from an aircraft carrier to bomb Tokyo. They were not able to return back to the ship and were supposed to land in a free area of China after the bombing raid was complete. He and many others ran out of fuel and were then captured by Japanese soldiers in China. He was kept in prison in China and then later in several locations within Japan. During 40 months of captivity he was in solitary confinement for 34 months. Of his five man crew three were executed, one was starved to death, while Jacob’s death sentence was commuted to a life imprisonment by Emperor Hirohito himself.
He was severely beaten and badly malnourished during the time in prison. During his captivity, DeShazer persuaded one of his guards to loan him a copy of the Bible. Although he only had the Bible for three weeks, he saw its messages as the reason for his survival and resolved to become a devout Christian. His conversion included learning a few words of Japanese and treating his captors with respect, which resulted in the guards reacting in a similar fashion. Wikipedia. After the war Jacob returned the USA and entered a Bible college and returned to Japan as a missionary. He moved to the city of Nagoya which was the very city that he bombed during the war.
Mitsuo Fuchida was a bomber pilot before and during World War II. He was very skillful and highly trained as a pilot. He rose in rank and became a well known instructor. Fuchida flew missions in China, Sri Lanka and Australia. As the flight commander of Japanese 1st Air Fleet he led the first wave of 183 bombers in the attack of Pearl Harbor. He was the one who initiated the infamous command Tora, Tora, Tora signaling that their surprise attack was successful. He remained in the air over Hawaii coordinating and overseeing the success of the attack. When he safely landed on his aircraft carrier he was surprised to see that his plane had 20 large anti-aircraft holes and his main control wire was held together only by a thread. He became a hero and continued in other battles. Many times his life was in danger and barely spared by circumstances which seemed to indicate some kind of divine protection.
MITSUO FUCHIDA POSTWAR
After the war, Fuchida was called on to testify at the trials of some of the Japanese military for Japanese war crimes. This infuriated him as he believed this was little more than "victor's justice". Convinced that the Americans had treated the Japanese the same way and determined to bring that evidence to the next trial, in the spring of 1947, Fuchida went to Uraga Harbor near Yokosuka to meet a group of returning Japanese prisoners of war. He was surprised to find his former flight engineer, Kazuo Kanegasaki, who all had believed had died in the Battle of Midway. When questioned, Kanegasaki told Fuchida that they were not tortured or abused, much to Fuchida's disappointment, then went on to tell him of a young lady who served them with the deepest love and respect, but whose parents, missionaries, had been killed by Japanese soldiers on the island of Panay in the Philippines.
For Fuchida, this was inexplicable, as in the Bushido code revenge was not just permitted, it was a responsibility for an offended party to carry out revenge to restore honor. The murderer of one's parents would be a sworn enemy for life. He became almost obsessed trying to understand why anyone would treat their enemies with love and forgiveness.
In the fall of 1948, Fuchida was passing by the bronze statue of Hachiko at the Shibuya Station when he was handed a pamphlet about the life of Jacob DeShazer, a member of the Doolittle Raid who was captured by the Japanese after his B-25 Mitchell ran out of fuel over occupied China. In the pamphlet "I Was a Prisoner of Japan"[5] DeShazer, himself a former U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant and bombardier, told his story of imprisonment, torture and an awakening to God. Fuchida became more curious about Christianity but couldn't find a Bible at the time in post-war Japan, but in the spring of 1949, again at the statue of Hachiko he met a man from the Pocket Testament League selling the New Testament of the Bible, and he bought one. Later that fall, while reading the Bible, he understood for the first time why the young lady had forgiven her enemies and took his first steps in becoming a Christian. In May 1950, he and Jacob DeShazer met for the first time, as friends. Wikipedia
CONCULSION
God works in the affairs of man when and where we least expect it. Japan decided to attack Hawaii to prevent America’s interference in its aggression across Asia. The plan backfired completely. The Japanese Navy sent their most brilliant aviator to coordinate the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then escaped death many times as if divine providence was at work even though he was not yet a Christian and definitely did not believe in or practice FORGIVENESS!
God used an angry young Jacob DeShazer who was unwilling to FORGIVE Japan for the attack on Pearl Harbor. God protected him from death when all his crew died while he still was not yet a Christian and still did not understand forgiveness. Alone in a Japanese prison cell Jacob received FORGIVENESS from God and immediately began to practice the same with cruel prison guards. God used the Japanese Emperor Hirohito to commute the death sentence so that Jacob could later bring his testimony of forgiveness to the Japanese people he had bombed earlier during the war.
God then put the two enemies together in Japan as FORGIVEN brothers in Christ. Jacob baptized Mitsuo Fuchida in water and the two worked together in evangelism and church planting for many years. Later Pastor Fuchida toured America seeking forgiveness from the people he had bombed years earlier. He also preached and demonstrated the power of Forgiveness.
APPLICATION
Growing up in church years ago I learned a song and a portion of the lyrics read, I don’t know what I would do without the Lord, when I look around and see just how much He’s done for me, I just don’t know what I would do without the Lord. That describes how I feel about forgiveness. I am alive today because God forgave me of my sins. He has helped me over the past few years to better remember that He has forgiven me. By His Grace, I am doing better at remembering that I have forgiven others. My prayer for you is that you will receive His forgiveness and walk in it by faith everyday. I pray you will seek God’s help to forgive all those who have harmed you. Then be sure that you do remember that you have forgiven them too.
May God bless you as you Remember to Forgive!
Dan Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Why Hospitality?
Rom 12:13 When God's children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. TLB
1 Peter 4:9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay for the night. TLB
1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; KJV Titus 1:8 They must enjoy having guests in their homes and must love all that is good. They must be sensible men, and fair. They must be clean minded and level headed. TLB
Hospitality – philoxenos (fil-ox'-en-os); from philos; fond of guests, i.e. hospitable: KJV - given to or lover of hospitality, entertain strangers, “lover of strangers”.
The elder Apostle Paul writes to the younger minister Timothy giving him instructions on the qualifications of ordained church leaders. He lists over a dozen various characteristics that are required if these leaders would be ordained to minister to members under their oversight. In the midst of the several points Paul inserts the characteristic of hospitality. For years, that seemed completely out of place to me. It just did not appear to be a “spiritual” matter! Upon further reflection, this quality does very much reflect upon the “spiritual” nature of a believer or minister.
In the modern day church most of what a pastor or minister does takes place either from behind a pulpit or within the confines of church related activities. Hospitality is literally “out of sight” from the public eye. By the way, the church members are not free from this biblical requirement just because they are not ordained ministers. Peter was speaking to the church body rather than just the ministry as he urged them to be ready to share a meal or to provide a place to stay to those who were in need of such.
Hospitality in the Old Testament
In biblical times it was believed to be a sacred duty to receive, feed, lodge, and protect any traveler who might stop at one's door. The stranger was treated as a guest, and men who had thus eaten together were bound to each other by the strongest ties of friendship. (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary) Suffering Job was able to declare in Job 31:32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler- NIV In Genesis 18:1-8 we read of Abraham’s hospitality toward the three “strangers” who passed by his tent. As a result of his kindness to these angels from God he obtained the promise of the birth of his promised seed, Isaac. He was also given the opportunity to intercede directly with God for the life of his nephew Lot and his family before the destruction of Sodom.
In Genesis 19:1-3 we see Lot extending similar hospitality to two men who were probably two of the three his Uncle Abraham entertained previously. Abraham sent his servant back to his clan to find a wife for Isaac. In Gen 24 Rebekah shows warm hospitality to the servant she had never met before when she gave him a drink of water and drew for all camels. Then she invited him to come to the house of her brother Laban. Many other examples could be cited.
Isa 58:7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don't hide from relatives who need your help. TLB
New Testament Hospitality
Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." NIV
The test of a New Testament widow being cared for by the church included the question of hospitality. 1 Tim 5:10 She must be well thought of by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers as well as to other Christians? Has she helped those who are sick and hurt? Is she always ready to show kindness? TLB Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. KJV
What about Today?
“Well, things have changed since Bible times!” We hear that all the time. No more miracles. No more of members of the church body sharing with others. 1 Cor 12:25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. NIV That is now only a biblical principle, not to be taken literally, we are told. Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. KJV Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. KJV
Several years ago when I taught on the two references in the Book of Acts someone told me to require that of the modern day church is like practicing communism. I was told that times have changed and that God never really “required” that of the early church. They just did it on a personal voluntary basis. The problem I have is that Jesus is the same “yesterday, today and forever” and we preach about the growth and power of the New Testament Church, but many do not want to pay the price that the early believers did. That could be why we don’t see the same results that they did then. I have just one word of caution to those who say such things. Persecution has frequently caused God’s people to rise up spiritually and band together. I believe that principle has not changed. If we will not love, feed, visit or cover our brothers then the Father may find it necessary to give today’s church some new motivation!
Personal Application
When we first moved to Korea for ministry nearly 40 years ago many regions and parts of society had not yet fully recovered from the Korean War. A large number of our early church members owned only one set of clothing. It was washed at night, dried on the heated floor (Ondol) and worn fresh the next day. On several occasions we visited Korean pastors homes and were served the last portion of rice that they had in their kitchen. It was a humbling experience to receive that kind of hospitality. While conducting a revival near the southern coast I was invited to an early morning breakfast by a church widow. Later I learned she arose at 3:00am to feed me and gave me her last chicken to eat. That was hard!
We too struggled with very limited funds from our church hdqrs. We were the first sent to that nation and little was known by them about the true cost of living and daily expenses. I can truthfully say that we suffered as a family while ministering there. We could only afford to eat beef twice a month. Sharon tells me that was less than 500 grams (1 lb) of meat. But we were required by God to turn around and share what we had with the many people who came to our home. Sharon did amazing things with little food and not much money to buy it. She is still doing the same things with food 40 years later.
After we arrived in Korea we came in contact with US military men and young Korean men who came to visit our home. In those days the government imposed a midnight curfew due to the dangers of North Korean infiltrators. So everyone had to be off the street by midnight or be arrested. One night some servicemen and a young Korean minister were visiting with us. Time passed and soon it was too late for them to get home safely by the curfew deadline. I invited them to spend the night sleeping on blankets on the heated floor. The Korean man got tears in his eyes when I told them to spend the night. He explained that no missionary in his denomination ever asked him to sleep in their home. I told him it was just “normal” and that he was welcome any time. Later he helped me with the strategy for establishing our first local church in Korea. Some years later he moved to Hawaii. While there he saw a sign to a local COGOP congregation. He contacted the pastor, Larry Biggers. He asked Bro Biggers if he knew me to which he replied in the affirmative. Over the next weeks Bro Biggers learned that my Korean minister friend was separated from his wife. By God’s Grace and a lot of love Bro Biggers was used to help restore the marriage of my Korean friend. My simple action of kind hospitality brought help in planting a local church and later on restoring a marriage.
Not all the results of hospitality are seen immediately. But, the regular practice of biblically based hospitality is probably one of the most powerful and effective sermons that anyone could ever preach! It cannot be recorded on a denominational monthly report. It cannot be put on a financial spreadsheet. It can’t be contained in a Podcast or streamed live on the Internet. In most cases it cannot be practiced in the church building. In truth it should take place in the privacy of our own homes. Even our church orphanages though a great and needed ministry cannot take the place of believers and ministers opening up their homes, hearts and pocketbooks to those God brings into their lives. We can use the media in every format to share the Good News. Beautiful buildings can be built in many nations to gather people to hear the Gospel. That is great, but there are those who will only listen to what we have to say after they experience God’s Love through the truly unselfish actions of opening our doors to those who are in need.
In closing, I think part of our problem today with hospitality is in honest mistakes in perception. We think someone needs to be in rags and homeless before hospitality can take place. That is wrong most of the time. In the New Testament this principle seems to be directed much toward our brothers and sisters in the faith as well as to true strangers. In recent weeks, in Japan God has opened the hearts of many mid 30’s Japanese young ladies to the Gospel. As I write this Sharon is downstairs praying and counseling with a believer and a 33 year old mother who has been seeking the way to God. She meets Sharon once a week. She cannot come to church on Sunday because of her husband. Last night we hosted 8 ladies for a Burrito Christmas party and impromptu birthday party. Each of them are employed and some drive cars much newer and nicer than ours. But, God has directed us to open both our hearts and homes to them. It seems the more willing we are to share what we have in our home and hearts they seem to be more open to hear what we have to say about God’s Love!
May God bless you as you open your home and heart to those in need!
Dan & Sharon Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
P.S. The 33 year old mother did accept Jesus Christ as her personal savior tonight. Thank you for standing with us and praying. Please keep it up!
1 Peter 4:9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay for the night. TLB
1 Tim 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; KJV Titus 1:8 They must enjoy having guests in their homes and must love all that is good. They must be sensible men, and fair. They must be clean minded and level headed. TLB
Hospitality – philoxenos (fil-ox'-en-os); from philos; fond of guests, i.e. hospitable: KJV - given to or lover of hospitality, entertain strangers, “lover of strangers”.
The elder Apostle Paul writes to the younger minister Timothy giving him instructions on the qualifications of ordained church leaders. He lists over a dozen various characteristics that are required if these leaders would be ordained to minister to members under their oversight. In the midst of the several points Paul inserts the characteristic of hospitality. For years, that seemed completely out of place to me. It just did not appear to be a “spiritual” matter! Upon further reflection, this quality does very much reflect upon the “spiritual” nature of a believer or minister.
In the modern day church most of what a pastor or minister does takes place either from behind a pulpit or within the confines of church related activities. Hospitality is literally “out of sight” from the public eye. By the way, the church members are not free from this biblical requirement just because they are not ordained ministers. Peter was speaking to the church body rather than just the ministry as he urged them to be ready to share a meal or to provide a place to stay to those who were in need of such.
Hospitality in the Old Testament
In biblical times it was believed to be a sacred duty to receive, feed, lodge, and protect any traveler who might stop at one's door. The stranger was treated as a guest, and men who had thus eaten together were bound to each other by the strongest ties of friendship. (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary) Suffering Job was able to declare in Job 31:32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler- NIV In Genesis 18:1-8 we read of Abraham’s hospitality toward the three “strangers” who passed by his tent. As a result of his kindness to these angels from God he obtained the promise of the birth of his promised seed, Isaac. He was also given the opportunity to intercede directly with God for the life of his nephew Lot and his family before the destruction of Sodom.
In Genesis 19:1-3 we see Lot extending similar hospitality to two men who were probably two of the three his Uncle Abraham entertained previously. Abraham sent his servant back to his clan to find a wife for Isaac. In Gen 24 Rebekah shows warm hospitality to the servant she had never met before when she gave him a drink of water and drew for all camels. Then she invited him to come to the house of her brother Laban. Many other examples could be cited.
Isa 58:7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute. Clothe those who are cold, and don't hide from relatives who need your help. TLB
New Testament Hospitality
Luke 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." NIV
The test of a New Testament widow being cared for by the church included the question of hospitality. 1 Tim 5:10 She must be well thought of by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers as well as to other Christians? Has she helped those who are sick and hurt? Is she always ready to show kindness? TLB Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. KJV
What about Today?
“Well, things have changed since Bible times!” We hear that all the time. No more miracles. No more of members of the church body sharing with others. 1 Cor 12:25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. NIV That is now only a biblical principle, not to be taken literally, we are told. Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. KJV Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. KJV
Several years ago when I taught on the two references in the Book of Acts someone told me to require that of the modern day church is like practicing communism. I was told that times have changed and that God never really “required” that of the early church. They just did it on a personal voluntary basis. The problem I have is that Jesus is the same “yesterday, today and forever” and we preach about the growth and power of the New Testament Church, but many do not want to pay the price that the early believers did. That could be why we don’t see the same results that they did then. I have just one word of caution to those who say such things. Persecution has frequently caused God’s people to rise up spiritually and band together. I believe that principle has not changed. If we will not love, feed, visit or cover our brothers then the Father may find it necessary to give today’s church some new motivation!
Personal Application
When we first moved to Korea for ministry nearly 40 years ago many regions and parts of society had not yet fully recovered from the Korean War. A large number of our early church members owned only one set of clothing. It was washed at night, dried on the heated floor (Ondol) and worn fresh the next day. On several occasions we visited Korean pastors homes and were served the last portion of rice that they had in their kitchen. It was a humbling experience to receive that kind of hospitality. While conducting a revival near the southern coast I was invited to an early morning breakfast by a church widow. Later I learned she arose at 3:00am to feed me and gave me her last chicken to eat. That was hard!
We too struggled with very limited funds from our church hdqrs. We were the first sent to that nation and little was known by them about the true cost of living and daily expenses. I can truthfully say that we suffered as a family while ministering there. We could only afford to eat beef twice a month. Sharon tells me that was less than 500 grams (1 lb) of meat. But we were required by God to turn around and share what we had with the many people who came to our home. Sharon did amazing things with little food and not much money to buy it. She is still doing the same things with food 40 years later.
After we arrived in Korea we came in contact with US military men and young Korean men who came to visit our home. In those days the government imposed a midnight curfew due to the dangers of North Korean infiltrators. So everyone had to be off the street by midnight or be arrested. One night some servicemen and a young Korean minister were visiting with us. Time passed and soon it was too late for them to get home safely by the curfew deadline. I invited them to spend the night sleeping on blankets on the heated floor. The Korean man got tears in his eyes when I told them to spend the night. He explained that no missionary in his denomination ever asked him to sleep in their home. I told him it was just “normal” and that he was welcome any time. Later he helped me with the strategy for establishing our first local church in Korea. Some years later he moved to Hawaii. While there he saw a sign to a local COGOP congregation. He contacted the pastor, Larry Biggers. He asked Bro Biggers if he knew me to which he replied in the affirmative. Over the next weeks Bro Biggers learned that my Korean minister friend was separated from his wife. By God’s Grace and a lot of love Bro Biggers was used to help restore the marriage of my Korean friend. My simple action of kind hospitality brought help in planting a local church and later on restoring a marriage.
Not all the results of hospitality are seen immediately. But, the regular practice of biblically based hospitality is probably one of the most powerful and effective sermons that anyone could ever preach! It cannot be recorded on a denominational monthly report. It cannot be put on a financial spreadsheet. It can’t be contained in a Podcast or streamed live on the Internet. In most cases it cannot be practiced in the church building. In truth it should take place in the privacy of our own homes. Even our church orphanages though a great and needed ministry cannot take the place of believers and ministers opening up their homes, hearts and pocketbooks to those God brings into their lives. We can use the media in every format to share the Good News. Beautiful buildings can be built in many nations to gather people to hear the Gospel. That is great, but there are those who will only listen to what we have to say after they experience God’s Love through the truly unselfish actions of opening our doors to those who are in need.
In closing, I think part of our problem today with hospitality is in honest mistakes in perception. We think someone needs to be in rags and homeless before hospitality can take place. That is wrong most of the time. In the New Testament this principle seems to be directed much toward our brothers and sisters in the faith as well as to true strangers. In recent weeks, in Japan God has opened the hearts of many mid 30’s Japanese young ladies to the Gospel. As I write this Sharon is downstairs praying and counseling with a believer and a 33 year old mother who has been seeking the way to God. She meets Sharon once a week. She cannot come to church on Sunday because of her husband. Last night we hosted 8 ladies for a Burrito Christmas party and impromptu birthday party. Each of them are employed and some drive cars much newer and nicer than ours. But, God has directed us to open both our hearts and homes to them. It seems the more willing we are to share what we have in our home and hearts they seem to be more open to hear what we have to say about God’s Love!
May God bless you as you open your home and heart to those in need!
Dan & Sharon Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
P.S. The 33 year old mother did accept Jesus Christ as her personal savior tonight. Thank you for standing with us and praying. Please keep it up!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Quick Learners
Judges 7:7 And the LORD said unto Gideon, by the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. KJV In Judges 6-7 we can read the well-known account of Gideon being used by God to defeat a powerful military force of thousands of Midianites and the Amalekites in the Valley of Jezreel. He accomplished this amazing feat with a small handful of 300 men who had been selected from a larger force of at least 32,000!
Historical Background
We need to go back in time to the days of Joshua. He was called Moses’ minister or servant as a young man. Before Moses died Joshua was selected and installed as his successor to lead the Children of Israel into their inheritance of the lands of Canaan. Earlier Joshua was also selected as one of the 12 spies, along with Caleb, sent to spy out the land in Num 13. They were the only two to bring a positive report that the enemies there could easily be defeated! In the Book of Joshua we can read the account of him leading God’s people into the new Promised Land. Great military victories marked this period of time in Israel’s history.
But all was not well when we look more closely at the situation. There were many remaining pockets of resistance as the 12 Tribes of Israel took up residence in the new land. God had commanded both Moses and Joshua to destroy all the living in the areas which they took over. As we read through the Book of Joshua it can be seen that several regions and tribes were not displaced or destroyed. There are references that state God allowed these people to remain as a test of Israel’s obedience. Later on those remaining enemy tribes became hindrances to the Children of Israel. In some cases, Israel turned from God and began to worship the idols of the tribes they did not destroy. There also were times when Israel turned from following God and these opposing tribes were used to punish Israel which was the case at the time of Gideon.
While reading the Books of Joshua and Judges we can feel a strong word of caution for us as believers today. There are areas in our lives which may cross God-ordained boundaries that we are to avoid in order to live a robust and healthy Christian Life! When we received Christ as our personal Savior there are things of this world that we are responsible to destroy or abandon completely. To fail to do so may also leave a door open for temptation for us to return to the life that we were delivered from by the Blood of Jesus Christ. These areas may seem to be insignificant and are sometimes left unnoticed. We will bristle and strike back at someone who may point these out to us stating that we are living under Grace and that it does not matter… until it is too late!
God’s Method of Salvation
Joshua 24:31 And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that over lived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. KJV This verse seems to indicate that things continued to go well with Israel after their leader died. The following verses speak well of life for Israel while he lived. Joshua 21:43 So in this way the Lord gave to Israel all the land he had promised to their ancestors, and they went in and conquered it and lived there. 44 And the Lord gave them peace, just as he had promised, and no one could stand against them; the Lord helped them destroy all their enemies. 45 Every good thing the Lord had promised them came true. TLB
Trouble was brewing for Israel. It did not come suddenly or with much warning. After Joshua died and those who had “known all the works of the Lord” life continued smoothly for quite some time. Each tribe of Israel was responsible to attack and destroy the enemy tribes living near them. At first, they faithfully sought God’s favor and direction in their efforts to obey Him in riddling the new land of idolatry. There was no single powerful permanent charismatic leader in office to be looked to for guidance or protection from the enemies surrounding them.
After the death of Joshua and his peers Israel entered into the Period of Judges (1380-1050 B.C.). The people tended to fall into worship of idols time and time again. When they sinned God caused the neighboring nations or tribes to oppress them as a form of punishment meant to bring them into a state of repentance. When they repented and cried out to God, He raised up a judge who lead them to victory against their enemies. For a period of time they would serve God. After the death of the judge, Israel would return to idolatry and the cycle started all over again. This kind of behavior continued for nearly 300 years.
The Time of Gideon
The story of Gideon begins with Judges 6. Before this, God raised up a number of men and women who were used to bring deliverance to Israel. These spiritual champions included: Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, Ehud the left-handed judge, Shamgar, and Deborah the prophetess. The methods of deliverance varied including a dagger, ox goad (sharpened stick) and a tent peg and hammer in the hand of Jael the wife of Heber.
In Judges 6 we find Israel suffering for 7 years under the cruel hand of the Midianites. After a previous period of 40 years of peace, this oppression must have been unbearable. We are told that the Israelites hid themselves in caves and dens in the mountains since their enemy covered they land like “grasshoppers” stealing and carrying away all crops and available food. So we see Gideon hiding behind a winepress threshing some wheat out of sight of the enemy who would surely steal it from his hands if it were seen. He is greeted by an angel who was seated under a nearby Oak tree.
The angel begins the conversation by calling the obviously timid Gideon a “mighty man of valor”. He also reminded Gideon that God was with him. Gideon did not attempt to hide his disbelief from the angel. Judges 6:13 "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." NIV Undaunted by the initial negative response from Gideon, the angel continues to deliver his message from God. Judges 6:14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" NIV
There are a number of further exchanges as Gideon protests that his family is of Manasseh which is one of the weakest of 12 tribes and that he ranks lowest in his own family. Properly so, Gideon hastens to prepare an offering of meat, bread and broth. The angel performs a miracle in burning up the offering causing Gideon to realize he was in the presence of an angel sent from God. He is instructed to pull down an altar to Baal and to offer a proper sacrifice to God. The neighbors are incensed and afraid of the wrath that may come upon them because of destroying the altar. Thankfully his father Joash defends his son against the crowd of people.
God’s Strategy
The Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel threatening to destroy Israel. The “Spirit of the Lord” came upon Gideon and he blew a trumpet and sent messengers throughout his tribe of Manasseh and three others calling them to come together to fight against the huge enemy force that was gathered together against Israel. Just as a large number of Israelites answered the call to battle Gideon suffered another challenge to his faith in God. In Judges 6:36-40 he asked God to perform the miracle of the wet ground and dry fleece. Of course, this is the source of the often used phrase of “putting a fleece before the Lord” in determining if we are hearing God’s Voice in a decision.
In Judges 7 we can see that at least 32,000 people responded to Gideon’s call to battle. As they gather God tells Gideon there are “too many” and when Israel wins they will take the credit for themselves and not give God the glory for the victory. So Gideon is instructed to send all those home who are willing to admit they are afraid. 22,000 took advantage of the chance to leave. But God declared that the remaining 10,000 were still too many for His plan.
God prepared a simple test which man would never have considered using for this task at hand. The group was ordered to drink from a body of water. Those who drank water from their hands rather than putting their mouths in the water were chosen to go into battle for the Lord. Only 300 were found to drink water that way. I realize a lot has been written over the years about this test and the whys and wherefores, but I still do not understand it. I simply know that God used it to select the men that He knew would obey and fulfill His Will in the battle against Israel’s enemies.
Gideon’s Army
These are the “Quick Learners” I am writing about. There is no reference to any special qualifications or training about these 300 men. No mention is made of which tribe they came from, their age, or any particular kind of experience or profession that they may have had before being chosen by God. The instruments to be used were simple consisting of a trumpet, empty clay pitcher and lit candle. They were divided into 3 companies of 100 each. They were instructed to stand in their appointed place and blow the trumpet, break the pitcher, and hold the candle in the left hand while shouting “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon”. As the 300 men followed the simple instructions and stood still in their place. The enemy turned their swords on each other resulting in a great slaughter. After this Gideon and his army pursued the remnants of their defeated foes.
No matter how many years I have been reading the Bible or how many times I study this portion of scripture I am still amazed at how God used a weak vessel like Gideon along with a small quickly assembled group of men to defeat a large force of trained men. There was just no real “training time” allowed. They had to learn their job in a very short time. They were truly willing vessels who learned their simple lessons of warfare quickly were used by God to bring a great deliverance to His people in a manner which brought Glory to God only!
Present Day Application
The parallels between God’s people in the days of Joshua and the Period of Judges and us today are many. We have seen great charismatic leaders arise in the Kingdom of God. Some ministers like Billy Graham and Pastor Yon Gi Cho did great works reaching millions in evangelism and building the world’s largest church. There have been many others. In each case their children or successors rarely are able to repeat the feats which were accomplished through their ministry. There is some concern about the true spiritual depth of some of the present day media ministers who hold large meetings and command much attention through various media channels. We need to be careful about judging. The Bible says we will know people by their works.
The Period of Judges for Israel reminds me of much of my life time in ministry over the past 40 years. Much of the ministry was driven by money and membership. Decisions were made by committees who lived in one western nation only venturing out on occasional trips to large conferences. They did not live among the members or ministers that they “ruled over”. Much good was done, but a lot of effort and funding was wasted rather than being placed where it would produce the most spiritual fruit.
We minister in Japan. We have conducted traditional western-style ministry for many years. Again ministry took place, but lasting results and spiritual fruit is scarce in many aspects. The Gospel was first introduced into Japan over 450 years ago, but today only 1% of the population of Japan is Evangelical Christians. Whatever has been done over the past many years is obviously not working well, including much of what we did during the past 30 years. For the last 3 years a network of prayer has been set up for Japan. Many others are doing a great work in this aspect also.
In response to the intercessory prayers that have been going up from around the world, God is raising up a group of young Japanese who are in their mid 30’s. They come from all walks of life and even from staunch Buddhist families. They have braved tremendous pressure and even family persecution to publicly confess Christ as their savior. They are highly intelligent and possess a tremendous hunger for the Word of God. They devour large portions of scripture on the buses, trains and subways to and from work. They listen to Christian music which lifts up Jesus Christ constantly. They are like sponges listening to every bit of teaching, training, counsel or advice that is offered to them. They can sit for hours on end in worship, fellowship, prayer and Bible study. They share God’s love and their testimony with all they come in contact without having been told to do so.
Some of the traditional Japanese churches are not comfortable with this new group of believers. They do not prosper very well spiritually under the normally strong pastoral control that is so often found in many churches in Japan. They have quickly learned who they are in Christ. They hunger for the fullness of the Holy Spirit and are frequently used in prophetic areas soon after conversion to Christ. That is just too fast for many pastors and churches. So after attempts to control or stifle the moving of the Holy Spirit in them they may be asked to leave the church.
Gideon’s Army of Today
Could it be that God is quietly raising up a generation, not only in Japan, but also in many other nations around the world to confront the spiritual enemies of God’s Kingdom. We need to be careful about judging from the outward appearance. When God sets the tests for membership in His Last Days Army how dare we attempt to decide who is qualified or who isn’t? What sets these army members apart from the average citizen of any nation? Why doesn’t God use the local churches as His only place or means of recruitment? The answer to that question is very obvious to me anyhow. When Sharon and I accepted our call to be missionaries as young teenagers our greatest criticism and discouragement came from inside our local churches. It didn’t take long to learn to be very discerning about who we talked to about our calling since we were so young.
God is sovereign and can do whatever He desires. This concept of a Gideon type of army being raised up today should not be hard to accept by truly spiritual and mature believers. Look at David when he defeated Goliath. He was rebuked by his own brothers. He was considered too young, untrained and unequipped, but God used him to bring a great deliverance to His army that was stalemated and stagnated unable to confront the enemy that mocked them and their God Jehovah. In the New Testament Jesus used a sinful woman to work as an evangelist in Samaria. He sent a previously demon possessed man back to his home town to preach the Good News very effectively! I believe we live in a similar set of circumstances today.
It is very likely that what we are seeing and experiencing here is taking place in other parts of the world in the Kingdom of God. We need to be careful to not be a naysayer when God is working in the lives of young people calling them into His Service and harvest field. We need to be prayerfully on the lookout for those anointed young people in our own families, local churches or in the local schools that God has singled out to be a part of His unorthodox army to go against the spiritual giants that are attacking families, churches, cities and even nations. As we have opportunity we need to be available to encourage them, pray for them, to cheer them on as they march off to war in Jesus’ Name! They need older experienced believers and ministers to offer counsel and advice to make them even more effective in God’s Kingdom.
Gideon’s Army – Epilogue
It would be nice to close this article with “and they lived happily ever after”. But it does not go that way. Judges 8 gives a sad ending to a great victory. In brief,. Ephriam was jealous because Gideon did not call them first. Then Succoth refused to give any bread to his weary 300 men who had been pursuing the Midianites. Later the Israelites at Penuel also refused to help him. In the midst of great victory and deliverance there was still jealousy and selfishness among God’s people. May God help us today to learn from the past and to seek His Face for victory over the spiritual enemies facing us today! Pray for God to raise up His Army today. Oh God call out Your Gideon’s of today and raise up Your Army who will obey and do Your Will in the earth today!
May God bless you as you pray!
Dan Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Early or Late?
Fairly easy question to answer! Right? Nope! It depends on your perspective and many other factors. Let me explain.
Two weeks ago I went to the dentist with a tooth that lost an inlaid filling. It was a decent experience as far as visits to dentists go. A new young dentist spoke very good English and was extremely polite. The department head is studying the Korean language so we used some Korean during the visit. It was a very enjoyable linguistic experience with the combined use of English, Japanese and Korean languages. Some opportunities were presented to help the dentists with proper English terminology at their request.
Then the appointment was made for the replacing of the inlaid filling two weeks later. There is where the problem began. I was offered a couple dates and times. Still being a little nervous from the 90 minutes in a dentist's chair I did not clearly fix my attention on the date of the next appointment. For me, memory is like a photograph. I need to take a clear focused look at papers and even verbally get my facts straight. If not, I will frequently go away with the wrong information. So, for two weeks I have been convinced that my next appointment was on Tuesday of this week.
So I arranged schedules with others and set my alarm to get up early for a good shower and shave. Even got an ironed dress shirt and the fixings. Took off in the car just a few minutes earlier than normal for an appointment at the hospital dental clinic. It was a wonderful drive this morning. Cloudy and overcast with a threat of rain. On the way, a conversation with the Lord began. It was not necessary to turn on praise music. It was like having a friend along for a quiet drive to the city. This lasted about 20-25 min. The parking lot was nearly full, but after a good conversation with the Lord that did not matter at all.
I was so happy to arrive at the dental clinic 10 minutes EARLY! I first realized something was wrong when a nurse quietly said to the other, why is Mr Corbett here? It was then that I glanced down at the appointment slip which said 11月9日 月曜日(Nov 9th, Monday) I had no problem understanding the Japanese language in this case. I had mistakenly thought that Nov 9th fell on a Tuesday. This wrong perception sadly stayed in my mind for two full weeks.
I arrived at the clinic window thinking I was 10 minutes EARLY when in reality I was 23hrs and 50min LATE! Some might ask why didn't God bother to tell His son, Daniel that he was wrong during this long two week period of mistaken perspective? I am not sure that is God's responsibility. As usual, the Lord turns negative things into positive ones. Today I had a tremendous 50 minute long drive with a very good friend, my Lord! This time praise music was not blaring from the CD player. I was not blubbering and asking for favors or blessings. It was like a pleasant drive with a long time friend. Today I mostly just listened. I felt very satisfied and had a strong feeling that God was pleased with me.
How about you today, in your life? Are you late, early or right on time? So maybe today, I wasn't really late, but right on time. On God's time that is.
God bless you as you listen to His Voice in your busy day!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Two weeks ago I went to the dentist with a tooth that lost an inlaid filling. It was a decent experience as far as visits to dentists go. A new young dentist spoke very good English and was extremely polite. The department head is studying the Korean language so we used some Korean during the visit. It was a very enjoyable linguistic experience with the combined use of English, Japanese and Korean languages. Some opportunities were presented to help the dentists with proper English terminology at their request.
Then the appointment was made for the replacing of the inlaid filling two weeks later. There is where the problem began. I was offered a couple dates and times. Still being a little nervous from the 90 minutes in a dentist's chair I did not clearly fix my attention on the date of the next appointment. For me, memory is like a photograph. I need to take a clear focused look at papers and even verbally get my facts straight. If not, I will frequently go away with the wrong information. So, for two weeks I have been convinced that my next appointment was on Tuesday of this week.
So I arranged schedules with others and set my alarm to get up early for a good shower and shave. Even got an ironed dress shirt and the fixings. Took off in the car just a few minutes earlier than normal for an appointment at the hospital dental clinic. It was a wonderful drive this morning. Cloudy and overcast with a threat of rain. On the way, a conversation with the Lord began. It was not necessary to turn on praise music. It was like having a friend along for a quiet drive to the city. This lasted about 20-25 min. The parking lot was nearly full, but after a good conversation with the Lord that did not matter at all.
I was so happy to arrive at the dental clinic 10 minutes EARLY! I first realized something was wrong when a nurse quietly said to the other, why is Mr Corbett here? It was then that I glanced down at the appointment slip which said 11月9日 月曜日(Nov 9th, Monday) I had no problem understanding the Japanese language in this case. I had mistakenly thought that Nov 9th fell on a Tuesday. This wrong perception sadly stayed in my mind for two full weeks.
I arrived at the clinic window thinking I was 10 minutes EARLY when in reality I was 23hrs and 50min LATE! Some might ask why didn't God bother to tell His son, Daniel that he was wrong during this long two week period of mistaken perspective? I am not sure that is God's responsibility. As usual, the Lord turns negative things into positive ones. Today I had a tremendous 50 minute long drive with a very good friend, my Lord! This time praise music was not blaring from the CD player. I was not blubbering and asking for favors or blessings. It was like a pleasant drive with a long time friend. Today I mostly just listened. I felt very satisfied and had a strong feeling that God was pleased with me.
How about you today, in your life? Are you late, early or right on time? So maybe today, I wasn't really late, but right on time. On God's time that is.
God bless you as you listen to His Voice in your busy day!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A Prayer for Japan
A Prayer For Japan
Just a simple video slide show on You Tube of a written prayer for Japan.
Why don't you join click the link above and join in with our prayer for this precious people and nation?
God bless you richly!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Just a simple video slide show on You Tube of a written prayer for Japan.
Why don't you join click the link above and join in with our prayer for this precious people and nation?
God bless you richly!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Faith or Fear?
Faith – pistis - persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of Gospel truth itself: KJV - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Fear – phobeo to frighten, to be alarmed; to be in awe of, i.e. revere: KJV - be sore afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence. phobos & phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright: KJV - be afraid exceedingly, fear, terror. (Strong's Numbers and Concordance)
Faith
Matt 17:20b "For if you had faith even as small as a tiny mustard seed you could say to this mountain, 'Move!' and it would go far away. Nothing would be impossible. TLB
Matt 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. KJV
Matt 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. KJV
Fear
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. KJV
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV
How About us Today?
What are you facing today - sickness, uncertainty, financial troubles, relationship problems, or crucial decisions? In many cases we have no choice about the circumstances that we find ourselves facing. We cannot control our environment, but we can choose how we react to that situation.
I believe there are two basic choices that every believer has in any one scenario we find ourselves in. We can react either in “Faith” or “Fear”! The Bible is full of stories of God’s children coming against impossible odds. Some chose to follow God and believe His Word while others failed the Faith Test failing to move when God told them to go forward.
Young David found himself in the middle of a standoff between the armies of Israel and the Philistine giant Goliath. King Saul with his well equipped troops and resources trembled in fear each day as the giant “called them out”. But young David reacted in “Faith” and declared that his God was well able to deliver him from the hand of Goliath. (1 Sam 17:37)
It was not David’s youth, speed, intelligence, or training – just simple and powerful faith in God. We have access to that same faith. Many of us have preached the Word of God. We have seen miracles and received numerous answers to our prayers. Yet, when faced with new problems, mountains and challenges, each of us must once again make that crucial decision to react or act in Faith or Fear.
Victory or Defeat
It is not an oversimplification to say that the difference between victory and defeat can be summed up in two words – Faith or Fear! May God help us to take that important step to say, God I believe and then if necessary finish up with Help thou mine unbelief! (Mark 9:24)
He won’t let you down. He did not let the three Hebrew children burn. He opened up the Red Sea. He opened the blinded eyes. He promised that He would never leave us. God ahead and take that step of Faith! Jesus is waiting for you!
God bless you as you walk in Faith!
Dan Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Gideon's Army IN Japan
Gain – To come into possession or use of; acquire; to attain in competition or struggle; win; to obtain through effort or merit; achieve.Gideon's Army IN Japan. GAIN Japan! In order to “gain Japan” for the kingdom of God something powerful, unique and new must be found and employed in sharing God’s Love here in an effective manner. The past century of western-style evangelism and mission’s strategy has been found to be sorely wanting in results and long lasting change.
In the Book of Judges we can read the story of a shy young man living in a horrible time of oppression and conflict. God’s favored people, Israel, had sinned and brought judgment upon themselves in the form of invasion and oppression from the powerful Midianites. It was so severe that the Israelites lived in caves and dens in the mountains. Their livestock and crops were stolen and consumed by the Midianites. In fact, Chapter 6 opens with the young man Gideon hiding behind a winepress in order to thresh a little bit of wheat out of sight of the Midianites.
Outwardly Gideon appeared to be timid or fearful, yet the when an angel from God greeted him, he was called a “mighty man of valor”. Gideon was given the assignment of setting his people free from the oppression of the Midianites. Several times Gideon expressed concern and needed assurance that God truly was with him and would make this victory reality. Then he was told to issue a call to others to join with him in this dangerous adventure.
At first, 32,000 other Israelites showed up to volunteer to take part in the battle against their powerful enemy. God told Gideon that there were too many and that a victory would surely be attributed to man’s power rather than God’s. So the fearful were released leaving 10,000 to do battle. Still God said there were too many. Next a simple test was applied by ordering the men to go drink water from the river. Those who drank water from their hands were the ones God set aside to be his instruments of deliverance. They only numbered 300! How could they possibly defeat such a mighty army that was waiting?
The next amazing feature of this drama was the selection of weapons. Gideon ordered each man to place a candle inside a clay pitcher and to carry a trumpet in the other hand. At night they divided into three companies of 100 men each. Then on his signal they blew trumpets, shouted “the sword of the Lord and Gideon” and then broke the pitchers allowing the candles to shine brightly in the darkness. They were instructed to stand still while God worked among the enemy to bring victory. In the darkness of night the Midianite army turned their swords on each other. Then the remainder fled into the dark pursued by Gideon’s small army. Additional help was realized from other tribes of Israel who helped follow and kill the remaining enemy soldiers.
Conditions in Japan
The Gospel reached Japan 460 years ago in 1549. Yet there are probably less than 1% evangelical Christians to be found today. The doors of Japan have been closed during the ensuing years for periods of time. Interruptions like World War II have interfered with the growth of Christianity. Still several thousands of missionaries have worked in many different aspects of ministry in the nation of Japan. Every common western mission concept has been attempted here. Recent statistics show 2,362 missionaries working in Japan today. There are approximately 200 denominations represented nationally. The average age of pastors here is 60 plus years of age.
God’s Answer!
I am aware that no one single method or technique can be presented as the all encompassing answer to Japan being reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We personally have used several approaches of the past 30 years of ministry. Some times we focused on children and youth. That was somewhat effective. That method usually did not always reach the parents or grandparents. Then we had special outreach to ladies. Again, many of them were saved, but the husbands usually never came to church and older children and grandparents were left out.We sent several overseas for college and English study. A few found salvation outside Japan, but some married and stayed in the USA not returning to help share God’s love to their own family and nation.
During this past year God began to place us in contact with a group of young Japanese who are between 25-35 years old. Many have lived abroad and can speak English fairly well. A few are married with children. They come from all walks of life and most have college degrees. Among this group lies a quiet hunger to find the meaning to life. Their family religions of Buddhism and Shinto cannot fill the void in their hearts. Some have searched the Internet for information about the Bible and Christianity. Most do not trust traditional churches and will not go inside the buildings. They have the idea that traditional Christian churches are too much like Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines.
We did not plan this! God began to bring the group of young people into our lives through various means and circumstances. I now have a two page list of names of Japanese young people whom I pray for on a daily basis. Some are living in our neighborhood, Fukuoka City, Tokyo and Yokohama. One accepted Christ in our home, another in Fukuoka City Hall, two others were visited and then later prayed by telephone to accept Christ and so forth. Bible studies and prayer meetings have been conducted in our home and by video phone calls between Japan and other countries. Bibles, music and training materials are used here and also sent to those in other areas.
Those who received Christ have already begun to win others to the Lord. There is a solid and very rapid spiritual growth that I have not seen in other places and years past in ministry. They call and text each other for prayer requests and encouragement. Whenever concerts or special meetings take place they go to learn, fellowship and to network with other Japanese believers. They have friends in other nations where they lived or studied and the influence and network is spreading across national boundaries.
Gideon’s Army IN Japan!
The members of the emerging Gideon’s Army in Japan exhibit the characteristics of both Prophetic Praisers and Prayer Intercessors. In other words, as soon as they accept Christ they begin to spend time in the Word of God, Praise and Intercessory prayer. It is natural for this kind of believer to have frequent opportunities to share their testimony with others they meet in family, job and daily life connections. There are some who have not yet confessed Christ, but it is evident that they have been tapped by God to become a part of His Army in Japan. As older believers and ministers of the Gospel Sharon and I have spent many long sessions of prayer, teaching and sharing ministry experiences with eager young people.
As this army grows in number and the needs for training and infrastructure increases we are praying God’s clear direction. We do not want to duplicate past mistakes of dead traditional structures fraught with hypocrisy and human dogma. All believers need spiritual covering, biblical discipleship and accountability. It is anticipated that greater needs of resources and personnel for training will come about. All of this needs to be bathed in prayer that God will receive the glory. Sadly, as we read the full account of Gideon we see division among the tribes of even idolatry. Clear Biblical goals and principles must be kept before us at all times.
Join Us!
This young army is a major aspect of our outreach and ministry in Japan. Just this past week two nights of five hours each were devoted to Bible study and prayer with members of this group. We are planning for a regular schedule of prayer and study meetings. We will keep you updated of these. We need intercessory prayer for us and the young people. You can pray regularly and can also join us with financial support to insure our ministry and living expenses being covered.
God Bless you richly!
Dan & Sharon Corbett
“Reaching One Among Millions”
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Grocery Store Shopping
That's right! Grocery shopping today to pick up a few things before lunch. We are in the middle of the Japanese "Silver Week". At the end of April and the first week of May there is the famous "Golden Week" which has three national holidays in one week's time. The Silver Week is new. It consists of two national holidays - Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumn Equinox. All together everyone gets off for five days when you include the weekend. The expressways are packed full of cars since the government dropped the fees on weekends and holidays.
Sharon and I have been kind of "laying low" since the roads are very crowded with the holiday makers. So today I needed to pick up just a few items. I questioned whether or not to go to the larger discount store which is normally crowded with cars waiting for open parking spaces. It also has narrow isles filled with shoppers jostling for positions in front of the refrigerated food cases. I got what I call a "Sharon Parking Space" right in front of the entrance. For a number of years she has confessed that our Heavenly Father always favors her with a parking space close to the front of stores where she goes shopping. It is true! I have observed this for years. At first, I doubted and even made fun of the very idea. Since then I have repented to her and God. After that I began to pray about parking spaces and have been known to pray for a "Sharon Parking Space" when in a hurry and needing to get in and out quickly. Since repenting over my doubt, it seems to work on numerous occasions.
Today I picked up my needed items and headed to the checkout counter. While the lady was checking me out a very short older Japanese lady reached in front of me asking the clerk for an additional plastic grocery bag. Being much taller than her she did not see my face. When I looked at her more closely I realized that I knew her. I touched her shoulder lightly and said, "hisashiburi desu" (lt's been a long time)! She was very surprised and happy to see it was me. Her husband and I were in the same hospital room when I had emergency appendicitis surgery five years ago. He was there for prostrate cancer. The chances of meeting this lady at a large supermarket with 10 checkout counters at the exact same time and place are very slim. This was God showing me without any doubt that He is wanting this precious family to hear the Gospel very soon!
There were three other men in the room with me back then. The one closest to my bed passed away over 4 years ago with cancer of the spine. He was the one who was won to Christ through simple acts of kindness, Japanese Christian Music, and Bible tapes in Japanese. The other two men became friends with me. Two of the men went to junior high school together. I have visited with both of them several times over the past few years. Since being the hospital together the remaining two men have been placed on my daily personal prayer list. Each night I bring them before the Lord asking for them to hear and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Both men are staunch Buddhists. The older one is a Master of Tea Ceremony, being a teacher of teachers over a large region. Both men are in their mid 80's now and in failing health.
Today I learned that the one now is suffering from diabetes and recently was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. We have not been together for the last several months. As we left the store I told his wife that I pray for them on a daily basis for which she seemed very thankful. Before parting she invited to come to visit them in their home as soon as possible. Driving away alone in the car I began to pray for the remaining two men I was in the hospital with five years ago. Many times I have rejoiced in the fact that one of the men had accepted Jesus Christ as Savior before he died. It seemed that the Lord told me today hat I had been asking for too little in accepting that only one of three had been saved. It came clearly to me that God's Plan is for all three of those men to be saved! Funny how we believers accept way less than what God has intended for us. I began to praise God for the salvation of the two remaining men as I drove home.
I thought how unpleasant the emergency surgery was for me along with complications in recovery over an extended period of time. Many times I thanked God for the great privilege of helping a Japanese man in my room come to faith in Jesus Christ. I accepted the fact that my suffering and pain was worth it if that brought me in contact with someone who came to Christ because of meeting me. What a joy to realize that God's plan is for each of the men who shared that hospital room with me to be saved! I also thought how long and sometimes difficult it is for some people to finally come to faith in Christ in Japan! It is as if leading some to Christ here is truly a type of guerilla warfare with several stages of battle before they surrender to confess Jesus as Lord of their lives. For the past few years it seems my daily prayer for these people has been a type of Mercy Covering for them while yet unsaved. Then in God's time circumstances take place in lives where they are finally ready to hear and Gospel and to respond in a positive way. I am feeling this is the case with the two remaining men from the hospital. This is the season of their salvation. Please join with me in prayer that I will be open to the Guidance of the Holy Spirit in how to relate to the two families in sharing God's Love.
May God bless you as you share His Love with those you meet!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Hospital Visit
John 5:1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" NIV
Once a month I go to our local city hospital to get to get my blood checked and to pick up medicine. Sitting there in the narrow hallway waiting my turn I was reminded of the passage in John 5 about the group of people that gathered around the pool of Bethesda. A couple years ago I took someone to Korea to visit the famous Osari Prayer Mountain that was established by Pastor Cho Young Gi. We were there at lunch time and entered the largest of the several auditoriums. Down in the front there were nearly 100 people sitting and lying down on the floor waiting for the afternoon session to begin. Each of them was there in hopes of receiving physical healing for their bodies. You could almost feel the pain and despair from that group of suffering people. I also thought back on the large crowds we ministered to in India with hundreds suffering from serious illnesses who were seeking prayer to be healed.
Once in a remote village in Pakistan we held an open air meeting at a community center. As the service starting time drew near people began to approach the pulpit and to leave glasses of murky looking water. Remembering in Korea how the speakers were given water to drink on the pulpit I was concerned about being forced to drink that unsafe looking water. I inquired about this as the number of glasses increased to nearly 20 on the pulpit. The interpreter informed me that these were Muslim people who believed the Jesus Christ had the power to heal sick bodies. We were expected to pray over and to bless the water so it could be carried home and drunk by sick relatives. So many sick and dying people needing healing and deliverance! The man in John complained to Jesus that he had no one to place him into the pool when the waters were troubled. It was believed that only the first person in would have their prayer request granted.
We must drive through a valley on the other side of our 3000 ft mountain passing 88 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Pilgrims here rent tour buses and spend three days stopping at each of the numbered temples/shrines offering prayers for their needs. They believe that if they go to each of the 88 locations that their request will be answered. As Christians, we know the scriptural promises for spiritual and physical healing. We know them! We have heard them sung, taught, preached and read books with testimonies of healing. Yet, so many of us are still sitting at the poolside waiting for someone to put us into God's Healing Pool. Just how long have we waited and how much longer will be continue to wait? If we can just get to a crusade of a famous healing evangelist maybe we will get healed. If we watch a video or read a certain book we may find the key. It is almost like a hungry homeless person sitting outside the gate of a beautiful mansion that has their own name on the gate. The house is warm and clean and the table is spread with the most nourishing and beautiful food one could imagine. But we are still sitting outside without realizing the benefits that have been provided by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We know about His Promises, but so many of us have not appropriated or received those benefits for ourselves.
Ps 103:1-6 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. KJV Ps 107:20-22 20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. 22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. NIV
Do I have the answer for those in need of healing and deliverance? No! But I surely do know the One and Only One who has provided those benefits for His children and their children. We have been waiting for someone else to lift us and carry us to Jesus. First, Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed! I am sure that there are those who really don't want to release their burdens and infirmities. Pain can eventually become a companion. Sickness gives certain people something to talk about and to complain about daily. Complete healing would change their lifestyle, conversation and daily habits. Some would have to get out of bed and go to work. While writing this I realize there are those who desperately desire to be healed and to be set free from the sickness and others the sin that binds them. I can only recommend Jesus to you. Yes, you have prayed before - many times. You have been prayed for many times to no avail.
In 1990 I injured my left leg in a church volley ball game at a picnic. Though I went to a walk-in clinic the resulting blood clots went undiagnosed for over six weeks spreading throughout the whole length of my leg and then eventually into my right lung. Doctors said I should have died early on and that normally deep vein blood clots go the brain, heart of lungs killing or paralyzing the individual. Finally the clots were discovered and I was placed in intensive care for 10 days. There was nothing the doctors could do but wait to see if the clots moved into one of those areas that would either kill or paralyze me. Later I was sent back to Japan in a wheel chair with nothing but gloomy projections for my future and well being. This went on for about six weeks. Then early one morning at about 6:00am the Holy Spirit spoke to me reminding me of Isaiah 40:29-31 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. KJV God told me I would walk normally again and that I literally would run again. By faith, I accepted that Word without any outward manifestation of the actual healing.
I began to travel across Asia with crutches and in a wheelchair in the beginning. After some time the crutches gave way to canes and then I gave those way and walked without any assistance. I still remember being late for a flight in Tokyo back to Fukuoka. A airline staff member and I ran to the gate to catch my plane before it took off. I excitedly called Sharon to tell her the Word of God to me was fulfilled. Some time later we both were in Korea at a country church sitting on the floor with the Korean ministers. It dawned on my that I was sitting cross legged with my knee that was never supposed to work normally again! Some time later we were ministering in Malaysia and knew a ministers' wife who was a medical doctor. She arranged for me to be examined by a well known cardiologist who informed me she thought I no longer had blood clots in my left leg. Those clots were turned into solid calcium many months before and were never supposed to clear up. They ordered more tests and two doctors argued whether my leg had developed its own new bypasses or if the clots cleared up on their own. The blood clots are gone! I guess you might characterize my healing like the 10 lepers in Luke 17:14 who were healed as they went to show themselves to the priest to confirm their healing.
Most of the time, in respect to healing, I advocate the P.U.S.H. principle. In other words, Pray Until Something Happens. Just pray and keep on praying until you see the manifestation of the healing or deliverance. There have been many times though, that the Holy Spirit has made it clear that the prayer has been heard and that I was only to Praise God for the healing that was accomplished, but not yet seen in the natural. Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. KJV Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. KJV Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. KJV
Oh God help us to view the sick and oppressed like You do! Jesus was moved with compassion. Give us the love, compassion and simple faith to practice what Your Word teaches us about this situation. Help us Lord in our prayers and actions to reach out to those in need of healing and deliverance. As we do our part in the Great Commission You Lord, we know will do Your part. Please forgive us for a lack of compassion and fear from just stepping out of the boat and believing that Your Word is true. Please help us to heal the sick, cast out devils and to preach the Good News to all those we meet, in the Name of Jesus Christ! Amen!
God bless you as you step out in simple faith!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Once a month I go to our local city hospital to get to get my blood checked and to pick up medicine. Sitting there in the narrow hallway waiting my turn I was reminded of the passage in John 5 about the group of people that gathered around the pool of Bethesda. A couple years ago I took someone to Korea to visit the famous Osari Prayer Mountain that was established by Pastor Cho Young Gi. We were there at lunch time and entered the largest of the several auditoriums. Down in the front there were nearly 100 people sitting and lying down on the floor waiting for the afternoon session to begin. Each of them was there in hopes of receiving physical healing for their bodies. You could almost feel the pain and despair from that group of suffering people. I also thought back on the large crowds we ministered to in India with hundreds suffering from serious illnesses who were seeking prayer to be healed.
Once in a remote village in Pakistan we held an open air meeting at a community center. As the service starting time drew near people began to approach the pulpit and to leave glasses of murky looking water. Remembering in Korea how the speakers were given water to drink on the pulpit I was concerned about being forced to drink that unsafe looking water. I inquired about this as the number of glasses increased to nearly 20 on the pulpit. The interpreter informed me that these were Muslim people who believed the Jesus Christ had the power to heal sick bodies. We were expected to pray over and to bless the water so it could be carried home and drunk by sick relatives. So many sick and dying people needing healing and deliverance! The man in John complained to Jesus that he had no one to place him into the pool when the waters were troubled. It was believed that only the first person in would have their prayer request granted.
We must drive through a valley on the other side of our 3000 ft mountain passing 88 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Pilgrims here rent tour buses and spend three days stopping at each of the numbered temples/shrines offering prayers for their needs. They believe that if they go to each of the 88 locations that their request will be answered. As Christians, we know the scriptural promises for spiritual and physical healing. We know them! We have heard them sung, taught, preached and read books with testimonies of healing. Yet, so many of us are still sitting at the poolside waiting for someone to put us into God's Healing Pool. Just how long have we waited and how much longer will be continue to wait? If we can just get to a crusade of a famous healing evangelist maybe we will get healed. If we watch a video or read a certain book we may find the key. It is almost like a hungry homeless person sitting outside the gate of a beautiful mansion that has their own name on the gate. The house is warm and clean and the table is spread with the most nourishing and beautiful food one could imagine. But we are still sitting outside without realizing the benefits that have been provided by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We know about His Promises, but so many of us have not appropriated or received those benefits for ourselves.
Ps 103:1-6 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. KJV Ps 107:20-22 20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. 22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. NIV
Do I have the answer for those in need of healing and deliverance? No! But I surely do know the One and Only One who has provided those benefits for His children and their children. We have been waiting for someone else to lift us and carry us to Jesus. First, Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed! I am sure that there are those who really don't want to release their burdens and infirmities. Pain can eventually become a companion. Sickness gives certain people something to talk about and to complain about daily. Complete healing would change their lifestyle, conversation and daily habits. Some would have to get out of bed and go to work. While writing this I realize there are those who desperately desire to be healed and to be set free from the sickness and others the sin that binds them. I can only recommend Jesus to you. Yes, you have prayed before - many times. You have been prayed for many times to no avail.
In 1990 I injured my left leg in a church volley ball game at a picnic. Though I went to a walk-in clinic the resulting blood clots went undiagnosed for over six weeks spreading throughout the whole length of my leg and then eventually into my right lung. Doctors said I should have died early on and that normally deep vein blood clots go the brain, heart of lungs killing or paralyzing the individual. Finally the clots were discovered and I was placed in intensive care for 10 days. There was nothing the doctors could do but wait to see if the clots moved into one of those areas that would either kill or paralyze me. Later I was sent back to Japan in a wheel chair with nothing but gloomy projections for my future and well being. This went on for about six weeks. Then early one morning at about 6:00am the Holy Spirit spoke to me reminding me of Isaiah 40:29-31 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. KJV God told me I would walk normally again and that I literally would run again. By faith, I accepted that Word without any outward manifestation of the actual healing.
I began to travel across Asia with crutches and in a wheelchair in the beginning. After some time the crutches gave way to canes and then I gave those way and walked without any assistance. I still remember being late for a flight in Tokyo back to Fukuoka. A airline staff member and I ran to the gate to catch my plane before it took off. I excitedly called Sharon to tell her the Word of God to me was fulfilled. Some time later we both were in Korea at a country church sitting on the floor with the Korean ministers. It dawned on my that I was sitting cross legged with my knee that was never supposed to work normally again! Some time later we were ministering in Malaysia and knew a ministers' wife who was a medical doctor. She arranged for me to be examined by a well known cardiologist who informed me she thought I no longer had blood clots in my left leg. Those clots were turned into solid calcium many months before and were never supposed to clear up. They ordered more tests and two doctors argued whether my leg had developed its own new bypasses or if the clots cleared up on their own. The blood clots are gone! I guess you might characterize my healing like the 10 lepers in Luke 17:14 who were healed as they went to show themselves to the priest to confirm their healing.
Most of the time, in respect to healing, I advocate the P.U.S.H. principle. In other words, Pray Until Something Happens. Just pray and keep on praying until you see the manifestation of the healing or deliverance. There have been many times though, that the Holy Spirit has made it clear that the prayer has been heard and that I was only to Praise God for the healing that was accomplished, but not yet seen in the natural. Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. KJV Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. KJV Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. KJV
Oh God help us to view the sick and oppressed like You do! Jesus was moved with compassion. Give us the love, compassion and simple faith to practice what Your Word teaches us about this situation. Help us Lord in our prayers and actions to reach out to those in need of healing and deliverance. As we do our part in the Great Commission You Lord, we know will do Your part. Please forgive us for a lack of compassion and fear from just stepping out of the boat and believing that Your Word is true. Please help us to heal the sick, cast out devils and to preach the Good News to all those we meet, in the Name of Jesus Christ! Amen!
God bless you as you step out in simple faith!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Monday, August 17, 2009
A Secret Place
Psalms 91:1-3 NKJV
1. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
3. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
For three days I did not leave the house. In the past five days I drove less than 30 miles! What a wonderful time of prayer, solitude, fasting and inspiration has taken place here! A few years ago we jokingly called our house here the Holy Spirit Rest Center. It has truly been exactly that. Why go off to some Prayer Mountain or go to a special religious retreat center. God is with us in our normal everyday homes. If we will take the time to invite Him in He will come in to "sup with us" Rev 3:20
Then last night I woke up just seconds before an earthquake shook the house. Upon texting Jonathan and Lori I realized the epicenter was located just a few miles west of them. Then two minutes later one took place just north of Tokyo where a Japanese Christian couple live. They had some aftershocks later on in the night. Then at 9am one of the southern Okinawa islands had a 6.9. Then back up to Tokyo another couple quakes. Then this evening another in Okinawa at 6.5 with tsunami warnings and finally at 8:44pm another here in Fukuoka! Not sure what God is doing but the Bible speaks of Him shaking the nations.
On Sept 1, 2008 Mr Fukuda, the Japanese Prime Minister resigned his office opening the way for Japan to have the first ever Roman Catholic Prime Minister, Aso Taro. There will be Lower House of Parliament elections held on Aug 30 meaning there may be a new Prime Minister again this year on Sept 1st.
Please pray for God to guide the government of Japan so that freedom of worship will be maintained and that doors will be opened for an overwhelming Holy Ghost Revival to take place all across the islands and cities of Japan.
God bless you as you pray for Japan!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
1. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."
3. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.
For three days I did not leave the house. In the past five days I drove less than 30 miles! What a wonderful time of prayer, solitude, fasting and inspiration has taken place here! A few years ago we jokingly called our house here the Holy Spirit Rest Center. It has truly been exactly that. Why go off to some Prayer Mountain or go to a special religious retreat center. God is with us in our normal everyday homes. If we will take the time to invite Him in He will come in to "sup with us" Rev 3:20
Then last night I woke up just seconds before an earthquake shook the house. Upon texting Jonathan and Lori I realized the epicenter was located just a few miles west of them. Then two minutes later one took place just north of Tokyo where a Japanese Christian couple live. They had some aftershocks later on in the night. Then at 9am one of the southern Okinawa islands had a 6.9. Then back up to Tokyo another couple quakes. Then this evening another in Okinawa at 6.5 with tsunami warnings and finally at 8:44pm another here in Fukuoka! Not sure what God is doing but the Bible speaks of Him shaking the nations.
Haggai 2:6-7 (NLT) 6 “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be b...rought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine.. Six quakes in less than 24 hrs.
On Sept 1, 2008 Mr Fukuda, the Japanese Prime Minister resigned his office opening the way for Japan to have the first ever Roman Catholic Prime Minister, Aso Taro. There will be Lower House of Parliament elections held on Aug 30 meaning there may be a new Prime Minister again this year on Sept 1st.
Please pray for God to guide the government of Japan so that freedom of worship will be maintained and that doors will be opened for an overwhelming Holy Ghost Revival to take place all across the islands and cities of Japan.
God bless you as you pray for Japan!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day to Remember
The month of August is a fairly somber time in Japan compared to the other seasons of the year. One would think that the warm summer months would be times of celebration and joy - school vacation and holiday travel. That is only on the surface surface level. There are events that have transpired in August which have brought about great changes in this society. Let me just list a few significant dates in August.
August 6, 1945 - The Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima with 140,000 casulties.
August 9, 1945 - An Atomic Bomb was detonated over Nagasaki with 80,000 deaths resulting.
August 12, 1985 - We baptized 8 persons in a portable baptistery in Shingu Machi, Japan. This was our first baptism after arriving in Japan in Sept, 1979. We surely did Praise God that day!
August 12, 1985 - JAL 123 crashed into a mountain causing 520 deaths with only 4 survivors.
August 15, 1945 - The Japanese government announced its intent to surrender to the Allied Forces.
August 13-15 - Is the Japanese Buddhist Festival of the Dead. Obon (お盆)
These are several sobering events to be remembered which take place over a two week period of time. I am thankful that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. Neh 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. KJV
We can praise God at any time. We have much to be thankful for. There are negative and painful memories, but we cannot change the past. If we allow it the past will control our present and future. This is the Day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
May God bless you as you remember His Loving Kindness!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
August 6, 1945 - The Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima with 140,000 casulties.
August 9, 1945 - An Atomic Bomb was detonated over Nagasaki with 80,000 deaths resulting.
August 12, 1985 - We baptized 8 persons in a portable baptistery in Shingu Machi, Japan. This was our first baptism after arriving in Japan in Sept, 1979. We surely did Praise God that day!
August 12, 1985 - JAL 123 crashed into a mountain causing 520 deaths with only 4 survivors.
August 15, 1945 - The Japanese government announced its intent to surrender to the Allied Forces.
August 13-15 - Is the Japanese Buddhist Festival of the Dead. Obon (お盆)
These are several sobering events to be remembered which take place over a two week period of time. I am thankful that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. Neh 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. KJV
We can praise God at any time. We have much to be thankful for. There are negative and painful memories, but we cannot change the past. If we allow it the past will control our present and future. This is the Day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
May God bless you as you remember His Loving Kindness!
Dan Corbett
"Reaching One Among Millions"
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