Happy New Year!

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom . Psalms 90:12.

Another year of life has come and gone. Life experiences both high and low, has filled the once empty canvas of another year gone by.  A New Dawn is approaching before us. What will be its written record? What will be written upon its blank pages? The manner in which we spend each passing day, will decide the answer to this question. . . .

Let us enter into the New Year with our hearts cleansed from the defilement of selfishness and pride. Let us put away every sinful thought, and seek to become more faithful, and diligent learners with open hearts to the object lessons, in the school of Jesus Christ.

A New Year opens its canvas before us. What shall be painted upon them? ...

Let us seek to begin this year with right purposes and pure motives, as a people who are faithfully accountable and obedient to God.

Remember and bear in mind that your actions are passing daily before Him.  Written and recorded into history by the pen of God's recording angels.  Every hurtful or helpful word, every good or bad deeds, every clean or filthy thoughts, are recorded and set before the judgement day.

For we shall all stand before the Lord"... the Judgment shall be set and the books shall be opened"  Daniel 7:10

But if we connect with God, with daily devotionals to His abundant source of peace, light, and truths.  His Holy Spirit will flow through you as a channel to refresh and bless you, and all those around you.

No matter how filthy and dirty you sins may have been in the past.  No matter how low of the lowest, you had succumbed to temptations.  Confess before the Lord, and He shall cleansed you, as white as snow.  And His loving promise is  "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 10:17

This could be the last year of life for some of us.  We don't know, for only God sees the beginning from the end.  Should we not enter upon this New Year with thoughtful consideration?  Should not sincerity, respect, humbleness, kindness lead our daily thoughts toward others, as did Jesus as an example?

For He calls you to be a blessing to others..."Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee...For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."  Isaiah 60:1,2

Let us now withhold nothing from Him who gave His precious life for us. . . . Let us all consecrate to Him, the property, stewardship, and gifts He has entrusted to us.

But above all else, let us renew our lives and give ourselves to Him this New Year, as a freewill offering.  "Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2Corinthians 5:17

May the beginning of this New Year be a time that shall forever be remembered--as a time when Jesus shall come in among you and yours, " To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Luke 1:79.  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men"  Luke 2:14  Wishing you all, a prosperous and blessed New Year.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i
failaugaministry.org

The Meaning of Christmas

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"...Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

 

Do you really know the day on which our Lord was born?  Most of us think its December 25.   But the early bible writers never wrote nor did not think it important to record.  Do we really know the meaning of Christmas?

We do not know why the church chose to celebrate December 25 when they did.  But they chose better than they knew, when they picked the turning of the seasons to celebrate the turning of the ages.

Winter is the season of cold despair. It is the time when darkness creeps over the earth, when hunger huddles around a dying fire, when sorrows rise and spirits fall.  It is less real today than long ago; today we can turn on a light at the flicking a switch, today we can transport  food from the warm summer on the other side of Earth.  Today, depression is more prevalent in the winter, and accidents much more frequent. Winter is the time when all the world seems harsh and cold.

It was at just such a time that our Lord and Savior entered to this world. The land in which he was born lay under the iron hand of an empire. A vicious tyrant sat on the throne in Jerusalem, and beyond Herod was the terrible strength of Caesar, then master of the world. The priests of that time, were not very compassionate nor caring. 

A winter of despair and dark clouds lay over the world.  But amid all that winter gloom, the Sun of righteousness rose up in the fullness of time to reveal Himself, and the world was changed forever.

For God became a man.  "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us"...John 1:14  "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9

That is a stunning thing, when you consider the meaning of this verse. He was born to die!  The Omnipotent Most High God who has no beginning and no end should die, the Monarch subjecting himself to his own subjects, the All-Powerful making Himself powerless, the Creator of all things, consenting to be bound by the same laws He Himself had made. God would not require of His people anything that He did not also require of Himself.  He faced the same tests, hunger, challenges and dangers that they did, with no strength or support that we did not have.  He was subject to death, just as we are.

And in doing this, He showed us who He was, and what moved him to do this. Not power; he had renounced it. Not strength; he had not enough to summon and move mountains.  He came, so that He might love us, and save us. 

This is the thing we celebrate this season.  "He is the reason for the season".  When all the world is cold and love seems so far away.  We want to celebrate the power of the first words God recorded when He said: “Let there be light!” 

We have seen that light ourselves: the first light of Creation still shining between the stars.  Jesus said, "... I am the light of the world"  John 9:5 

We celebrate the Resurrection, when God showed his triumphant over death. We will celebrate the assurance that the One who left us will return to us (John 14), and His second coming will perfect and make all things new.

We might do all this , but without his birth, we might not.  For if God had not come to us, we could never have come to Him.  And would we even have want to, if we knew nothing about the Creator and Ruler of all things?

When we hear the birth-cry of the Universe, when we look upon the empty tomb, when we shall see the heavens opened and the Son of God descending — the faithful will all say,  “ ... Lo, this [is] our God; we have waited for” Isaiah 25:9

Because He became one of us, we can know Him.  And because we know Him, we can love Him.

And because we can love Him, is why we celebrate this season.  God bless everyone and have a Merry Xmas.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

failaugaministry.org

A Beautiful Country

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews. 11:15, 16       

A fear of making our future inheritance seem too material, has led many people away from the very truths which lead us to look upon it, as our promised home.  There are words to a song which says "this world is not my home, I'm a just a passing through"  This world is truly not our homes, we are just temporary sojourners here.

Jesus assured His disciples (and us) that He went to prepare mansions for them in His Father's house. John 14:2.  Those who accept the teachings of God's Word will not be ignorant concerning the heavenly home.  The promises are true, and the mortgage has been paid in full by the blood of the Lamb. 

The bible says "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."  1Corinthians 2:9

Human words are inadequate to describe the magnificent reward prepared by our Savior.  It will be known only to those who behold it.  There has been a lot of truly beautiful works of creative art produced by man over the history of this world. 

But yet the bible says that no human mind can ever imagine or comprehend the beauty and majestic glory of the Paradise of God.  Only John the revelator was given the wondrous opportunity to witness a glimpse of that city. 

Through the years, people have tried to depict in etchings, scrolls, and pastel or oil paintings their imaginary picture of heaven.  Some of the greatest artists in the world like Michael Angelo (who painted the Sistine chapel) have tried.  And yet, the word of God says "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared..."for you and me.

Let me give you an small appetizer of what the bible teaches.  In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called a country.  There, our loving Savior will lead His flock to pure fountains of living waters. The tree of life, transformed from the garden of Eden will yields its 12 different manor of fruits every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations.

There are ever-flowing clear pure water streams, clear as crystal, and beside them lush beautiful waving trees casting their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord.
    
The grass will be a living green, and will never wither. There will be roses and lilies and all kinds of colorful flowers there. They will never die nor fade or lose their beauty and fragrance.
    
The lion, which we so fear here on earth, will lie down with the lamb, and everything in the New Earth will be peace and harmony. The trees of the New Earth will be straight and lofty, without any signs of dead leaves or deformity.

In the New Earth there are no cold chilling winds, no snow, or icy changes of weather patterns like we experience today.  The atmosphere is forever right and healthful.  And God will be our light.
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband...And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God...And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  Revelation 21: 2-4

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.  Revelation 21"27
Are you prepared or preparing yourself and loved ones to be a citizen of this country?  Jesus says,  "and he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." Revelation 21:5  
Lets be there family, let us all be there!


Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i
failaugaministry.org

The Pearl of Great Price

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:... Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."  Matt 13:45,46

In continuing with more lessons from Jesus parables, the blessings of the redeeming love of our Savior is compared to a precious pearl.
He illustrated His lesson by the parable of the merchantman seeking goodly pearls "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Christ Himself is the pearl of great price.

In Him is gathered all the glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. He is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person. The glory of all the attributes of God the Father is expressed in His character. Every page of the Holy Scriptures shines with His light.

The righteousness of Christ, depicted as a pure white pearl, has no defect, no stain, it is perfect in its form. No work of man can improve the great and precious gift of God. It is without a flaw. 

In Christ are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col. 2:3. He is "made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30. All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul, for this world and for the world to come, is found in Him. Our Redeemer is the pearl so precious that in comparison, everything else may be counted loss.

Christ "came unto His own, and His own received Him not." John 1:11. The light of God shined bright into the darkness of the world, and "the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:5.

But not all were found to neglect the light of heaven. The merchantman in the parable represents a class of people who were sincerely desiring and searching for truth. A class of people who will sell all that they possess, to obtain this pearl

In different nations there were earnest and faithful people who had sought earnestly in books and science and the religions of the heathen world, that which they longed to receive, as the soul's divine treasure.

Among the Jews there were those who were seeking for that which they had not.  Dissatisfied with stagnant hypocritical formal religion of the time, they yearned and hungered for that which was spiritual and uplifting.

Christ's chosen disciples belonged to that class, Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch to the first class. They had been longing and praying for light from heaven; and when Christ was revealed to them, they received Him with gladness and open arms.

In the parable the pearl is not represented as a gift. The merchantman bought it at the price of all that he had. Many bible scholars of today question the meaning of this, since Christ is represented in the Scriptures as a gift.
He is a gift, but only to those who give themselves, soul, body, and spirit, total surrender to Him without reservations.

To freely receive the gift, the parable suggest we are to give ourselves to Christ, to live a life of faithful obedience to all His commands and requirements. All that we are, all the talents and gifts we possess, are the Lord's, to be consecrated and used for His service.  "...You are not your own, for you are bought with a price... 1 Cor 6:19,20

When we then give ourselves all to Him, Christ, with all the treasures and provision of heaven, gives Himself to us. We then obtain, the pearl of great price.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i
failaugaministry.org

Hidden Treasures

Mea e 'ae e tatau ma le aso
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field."  Matthew 13:44

In ancient times it was customary for folks to hide their treasures underground. Thefts and robberies were frequent those days and there were no banks for people to keep their savings.

And whenever there was a change in the ruling power, those who had large possessions were liable to be picked on by the ruling powers. Moreover the country was in constant danger of invasion by marauding armies. And as a consequence, the rich people would preserve their wealth by concealing it, and the earth was looked upon as a safe common hiding place.

But a lot of times, the place they concealed their treasures was forgotten; sometimes death might come upon the owner, imprisonment or exile might separate him from his treasure, and the wealth he had taken so much pains to preserve was left for the fortunate finder.

In Christ's day it was not uncommon to discover in neglected land old coins and ornaments of gold and silver.  A man hires land to cultivate, and as the oxen plow the soil, buried treasure is unearthed. As the man  discovers this this treasure, he sees that a fortune is within his reach.

Restoring the gold to its hiding place, he returns to his home and sells all that he has, in order to purchase the field containing the treasure. His family and his neighbors think that he has gone crazy.  Looking on the field, they see no value, other then farm produce in the neglected soil.

But the man knows that there are treasures within this leased field; and when he has the title to the field, he is free to search every inch of it to find the treasure that he has secured.

This parable Jesus tells us, illustrates the value of the heavenly treasure, "the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field;" and the effort one should make to secure it.

The finder of the treasure in the field was ready to give up all that he had, sell everything he had, and ready to work with untiring labor, not caring what people says about him, he does it knowingly in order to secure the hidden riches.

So is true of the finder of heavenly treasure, he will count no labor too great and no sacrifice too big, in order to gain the treasures of gospel truth.

In the parable the field containing the treasure represents the Holy Scriptures. And the gospel is the treasure. The earth itself as damaged as it is also filled with precious things as is the word of God.

The Saviour saw that men were absorbed in getting gain, and were losing sight of eternal realities. He undertook to correct this evil. He sought to break the spell that was paralyzing the soul. Lifting up His voice He cried, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matt. 16:26.

He presents before fallen humanity the world they have lost sight of, that they may behold eternal realities. He takes them to the threshold of the Infinite, flushed with the indescribable glory of God, and shows them the treasure therein.

This is the treasure that is found in the Scriptures. The Bible is God's great lesson book, His great educator. The foundation of all true science is contained in the Bible. Every branch of knowledge may be found by searching the word of God. And above all else it contains the science of all sciences, the science of salvation. The Bible is the mine of the unsearchable riches of Christ.  Is this not worthy of all that you have?

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i
failaugaministry.org

The Ten Commandment Principles

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

“If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

There are two main principles of the Ten Commandment law of God, that He gave to His people as a blessing. "The Lord commanded us," said Moses, "to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always..." (Deuteronomy 6:24).  These moral laws were spoken and written in stone by the very hand of God, given to Moses, to be a blessing to man..."always"  These same principles in today's society,...are being attacked by the adversary...more than ever before, in the history of mankind.

1.)  LOVE GOD:  1.  “You shall have no other gods before Me.  2. “You shall not make for  yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them...“  3.  You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.“  4.  "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."

2.)  LOVE YOUR FAMILY & YOUR NEIGHBOR:  5.  “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.  6. “You shall not murder.  7.  “You shall not commit adultery.  8.  “You shall not steal.  9.  “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  10  “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

LOVE is the main motivating factor in His Law. The first four commandments have to do with my duty to God. When I love Him, obeying those commands becomes a pleasure. The last six commandments embrace my duty to my family and my fellow man. 
If I truly love my family, and my neighbors, I will not want to do anything to hurt them.  

The totality of the commandments is the vertical and horizontal relationship that forms the Cross of Calvary.  Love God, Love thy neighbor.  These laws were formed, from GOD's CHARACTER...LOVE!, for..."God is love...and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1John 4:16)

Now some say,..that the keeping of the commandments of God, does not apply anymore...well I beg to differ,...is love not applicable anymore?  It is a deception of the enemy, to discredit with character assassination, the very moral principles of a loving God, who loved us first......"herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins." (1John 4:10) 

It is no wonder things are all fouled up backwards now a days.  "People creating their own gods, worshiping money and material things more than God.  "dysfunctional families" are the popular "in thing" on national television, which if you pay close attention, is inundated with vampire craze, walking dead people, spiritualism, witchcraft movies by hollyweird, influenced by the enemy to brainwash our young people.  And you wonder why kids don't listen to their parents anymore.

The sanctity of marriage is now being challenged as an old school thing of the past....common-law marriage is now accepted as legal in some states,...back in the day, we use to call it "shacking up."  People now love to sign prenuptial agreements..."death do we part." is replaced with "give me mine while you're able".   The statistics are staggering,...one divorce for every two marriages a year.  

We need to go back to the principles, set by God himself, and not allow ourselves to fall into these popular craze's, that is sweeping even Christendom.

People wanting other peoples things, clothing line, hairstyles, cars, material possessions, even altering their bodies to look like so and so....all are counter productive to the loving principles of a saving God.   Ask yourself, where is the Love?

Now let me make something very clear,...no one is saved by keeping God's Ten Commandment law.  All are saved by the miracle-working GRACE OF GOD.  But those who are saved, or who have really transformed their lives, by the grace of Jesus Christ,...will have His loving principles written in their hearts, and they will want to obey His laws,...as an expression of their appreciation, their love and thanksgiving to Him.  Because the alternative is, and there are only two choices here...well,...just look around you.  
Jesus said unto him, “If ye love me, keep my commandments."..."Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind...This is the first and great commandment... And the second is like unto the first, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  (Matthew 22:37-39).

Ia manuia,


failauga p. anoa'i
failaugaministry.org

Christ’s Word, Carries Great Power

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers...And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men... And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.  (Mathew 4:18-20)
 

Oh the faithful, unquestioning obedience of these men, with no promise of monetary rewards, no promises of riches and gold, they simply dropped everything they owned, and followed Him.  It just seem so remarkable to imagine, compared to modern day thought process.  But the Words of Christ were an invitation that carried with it great power..." And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” ...
 

Christ would make these humble unlearned fishermen, in direct connection with Himself.  The power of His Word took these men out of the service of Satan, and placed them in the direct service of God.
In His calling, they would become His witnesses to the world, to proclaim His truths unadulterated, from the corrupt traditions and worldly sophistication of men.  By practicing His virtuous teachings, by walking and working with Him, they were to be trained to be fishers of men....
For three years they labored in connection with the Saviour, and by His teaching, His works of healing, His examples, they were prepared to carry on the work that He began. By simplicity of faith, by pure, humble hearts, in their service, the disciples were taught to carry responsibilities in God’s work to a fallen world.

There are great lessons we can learn from the experience of the apostles. These men were solidly true to their principles. They were men who would not fail nor be discouraged by others. They were full of reverence and passion for the work of the Lord, and their cause was noble with a sense of great aspiration and purpose.
 

They were by nature as weak and helpless as any of us now engaged in the work, but they put their whole trust in the Lord.  Wealth they had, but their riches was of mind and soul; and this is what every one of us may have,  if we make God first and last and give Him the best in everything we have.  "... whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1Corinthians 10:31)
They toiled long and hard to learn the lessons given them by Christ, and they did not toil in vain. They bound themselves up with the mightiest of His divine powers, and were forever longing for a deeper, higher, understanding of heavenly things, that they might successfully present these truths, to a needy world.... 

 

Christ Word, was calling them to go and take the light of truth to a darken world.  Go and shine forth, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee"  (Isaiah 60:1), that hearts of harden man may be awakened and converted.  

 

In all parts of the world, the gospel is to be proclaimed.  God’s servants then and now, are called to labor in places near and far, enlarging the family of God.  If you hear His voice calling you, know that you are called to work, "while the day lasts; for the night cometh, in which no man can work".

 

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

failaugaministry.org

A Thanks Giving Heart

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20)

Thanks giving should be on our lips every day for the blessings He so freely bestows upon us daily.  The blessings He gives so unselfishly in different ways and forms we sometimes forget to recognize and acknowledge to give Him the glory.  

It would please the Lord if you would make an effort to forget yourself. Begin to thank the Lord for your  home, family, friends and your pleasant surroundings, and the many more blessings He gives you. 

By returning thanks to the Lord for His goodness, you can do something for the One who has done everything for you. Think on the depths of compassion that the Saviour felt for you when He hung on that tree. 

For you He gave His life, suffering agony and cruelty of death on the cross.  Can you not praise the Lord in earnest thankfulness for this? If you will hide your life in Christ, He will receive you openly.

If you will show that you have a working faith, by trying every day to exercise your will power, you will gain strength in faith.  I know this by experience. Put your trust in Jesus.  Have faith in Him, and leave all in His hands. You will receive great blessing by making these changes in your habits....

These past few Months, I lost my son, my nephew and my brother in-law, all within a span of a few weeks apart.  Earlier this year, I lost two of my best and dearest friends.  The pain, the agony and the rush of emotions you go through, with a helpless feeling of you not being able to do anything to stop the cycle of death.  It makes you feel so weak inside and you realize in your heart an empty sense of worthlessness.

But to all this there is a cheerful side.  My Saviour seemed to be ever so close by my side.  I can feel His sacred presence in my heart lifting me up, and I was so thankful for it.  These past few months of mental and emotional tribulations were some of the most agonizing and at the same time the most happiest months of my life.   

The ever present companionship of my Saviour.... His love filled my heart.   All through my trials, His love, His tender compassion, was with me, His soothing presence was my comforter....He walked with me, He talked with me, He held me when I felt alone.

When we look unto Jesus,  our pitying, loving Saviour, you can feel Him sympathize with your every emotional roller coaster ride.  If you cast your helpless soul on Christ, He will bring joy and peace to your soul.  He will be your crown of rejoicing, your exceeding great reward.  Your Blessed Hope.

That's why thankfulness ought to be a major ingredient in all our relationships from the time that we awake to when we go to sleep.  Learn to appreciate the gifts he bestows upon you, and treasure the moments with every opportunity you have with those you dearly love.  God Bless and have a Happy Thanks Giving to all.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

failaugaministry.org

The Supreme Climb

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“He said, ‘Take now your son ’ ” (Genesis 22:2).

God’s command is, “Take now,” not later, or tomorrow.  It's amazing how we stall and debate this command! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately.  If we are to climb to the highest heights God has planned for us, it can never be done later—it must be done now!

And the sacrifice must be worked through our will before we actually perform it. “So Abraham rose early in the morning  and went to the place of which God had told him” (22:3). Oh, the simplistic wonderful faith of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not “confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16).

Be careful when you want to “confer with flesh and blood” or even your own thoughts, insights, or understandings—anything that is not based on your personal relationship with God. These are things that will compete with and hinder your true obedience to God. 

Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be, nor did he know what the sacrifice demanded (his son).  But he continued to listen and be obedient to God  in faith.

My friends, always guard against "self-chosen service for God". Self-chosen sacrifice may be a disease that will impair your true service to God.  If God made your cup sweet, drink it with grace and thanksgiving; or even if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him and thank him for your trials..."knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience.. (James1:3)

If the divine will of God means a hard and difficult road for you, go through it with a humble heart.  But never ever try to decide the journey of your own, as if to say, “I will only go so far, but no farther.” 

God chose the test for Abraham, and Abraham neither delayed nor complained, but faithfully obeyed.  If you are not living in touch with the Holy Spirit of God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him when bad things happen in our lives.

Some people think that when we get into a church.  That you are somehow divinely protected now.  Well, if that was so, then everybody would be filling the church pews religiously!  

People just don’t understand that, the storms of life sometimes gets inside the church…yes, Jesus never promised that the ride would be smooth when we follow him!…he never promised that there won't be storms in our lives, because there will be.   He simply said… "I’ll be with you"…But think about this, when you are in a storm with Jesus…Its always better to be inside that little boat then outside…Amen?  (Mark 4:37-39)

We must go through trials before we have any right to pronounce our Christianity, because by going through trials you learn to know and appreciate Jesus better.  You'll learn that ..."all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose"  (Romans 8:28)

God will work with and through you to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i
www.failaugaministry.org

A Changed Life

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

What understanding do you have of the salvation of your soul? The work of salvation means that in your real life things are dramatically changed. You no longer look at things in the same way. Your desires are new and the old things have lost their power of attraction.

One of the tests for determining if the work of salvation in your life is genuine is—has God changed the things that really matter to you?  If you still yearn for the old things in your life, it is contradictory to talk about being born from above—you are just deceiving yourself.

If you are a true born again Christian, the Spirit of God makes the change very evident in your thoughts and in your life.  And when a crisis comes, you'll be amazed at the wonderful difference in how you react.  Though your human emotions still feel the pain of  losing a loved one, the blessed assurance lifts you up with a calming surety, an assurance knowing God's plan of salvation will shed the light on your darkest of days.  It is trusting in this hope that manifest a complete change in you that is the very evidence that you are born again.

Many people claim they are born again but fail miserably in their Christian walk when being tested.  Jesus said to Nicodemus in (John3:6) "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

You see, their are two types of born again Christians, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus.  Those "born of the flesh; and those born of the Spirit."  There are those who go to church and do all the formal churchy stuff, pay their tithes, dress up in their best white garments every Sunday with a bible in one hand and a check book in the other, get drunk on Monday, party all week, kick the dog on the way home, go to church on the weekends and do it all over again the following week.  

They go to church but they won't let go of the worldly baggage they bring with them.  There is no renewing of the Spirit, and they bring the world into the church, thinking as long as you are praising Jesus everything is going to be alright.  These are those that are born of the flesh.

Now those who are born of the Spirit is a total spiritual renewing from above.  A good example is the two sisters Mary and Martha in (Luke 10:40-42)  While Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to His Word, Martha was busy cooking, cleaning  and getting everything ready, complaining to Jesus about her sister not helping out  v41 "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things...v42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Though both kinds of people are important members of the church regardless of their faults, they both have their roll.   It is those who are born of the Spirit Jesus says, who hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away.

What difference has my salvation and sanctification made?  True salvation, worked out in me by the Holy Spirit, frees me completely from worldly cares.  And as long as I “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), God will see His Spirit working in every detailed part of your being.  A true Spiritual manifestation in you, will surely be reveal, "old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”

Ia manuia,


failauga p. anoa'i
www.failaugaministry.org

Partakers of His Sufferings

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso 
“ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings ” (1 Peter 4:13)

If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His work, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others, so that we can witness the word of God with compassion of understanding.

Because of this process, you should not be surprised by what comes your way.  We often say, “Oh, this is too much to bare, I can’t deal with this.” Why can’t you? God gave us sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about each problem; because there is not a problem we face today that he has not himself been through.   

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Hebrews 2:18.  But we often turn away, not heeding the lesson, because it seems foolish and irrelevant to compare old biblical days with modern day problems.  Friends, the bible says in verse 10 "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Jesus became all things and experienced all things, old and new, so He can be "the captain of our salvation, made perfect through his sufferings"

The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary folks. He suffered “according to the will of God” 1Peter 4:19, having a different point of view of suffering from ours.  It is only through our personal relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand why God's Son had to suffer on our behalf. 

But when it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. We want to know so we can be ready when bad things happen in our lives.

In the history of the Christian church, the tendency of people has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ.  Through the ages, people have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. 

We must come to a realization that God’s way is always the way of suffering—the way of the “long road home.”  "Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience" James 5:10

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;  Philippians 1:29  

Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings?  Are we prepared for God to put aside our personal and emotional ambitions? Are we prepared for God to take away our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them to His will? 

My friends, it will mean not knowing why God puts us through trials, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through—we go through trials more or less without knowing or even understanding why?.  As Christians, our attitude should be "...Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. Matthew 6:10

Then in faith, suddenly we come to a place of soothing enlightenment, and we realize—“God has strengthened me through my trials, and I didn’t even know it!”

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i
www.failaugaministry.org

Stop And Look Before You Hit Rock Bottom

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, “At home even the hired men have food enough and to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!” (Luke 15:17)
 

Sometimes sorrow is the clue that convinces us we have sinned. The younger son in this parable, like many who are rebellious and immature, wanted to be free to live as he pleased, and he had to hit rock bottom before he came to his senses. It often takes great sorrow and tragedy to cause people to look to the only one who can help them.  The forgiving, loving father will come running to take you back despite our immature and rebellious ways.

 

My question for young people. Are you trying to live life your own way, do your own thing, selfishly pushing aside parental advice or any responsibility and commitment that gets in your way? I plea with young people to stop and look before you hit rock bottom.  You will save yourself and your family much grief and unbearable sufferings if you just stop and listen to that voice of reason.  The young man in the parable murmured to himself “At home even the hired men have food enough and to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger!”

Though he had no iPhone or android to call home those days, I can imaging the family in this story may have been deceivingly led to believe that the son was doing fine and making a good living investing his inheritance while away.

You may not have to starve of hunger, but if you find yourself in this young man's situation, young people please swallow your pride, be straight and honest with your self and loved ones and do the right thing while you're able.  Let someone know the hardship you are going through because your pride can blind you to the reality of your situation and procrastination sets into the point where you could find it too late to go back.   

Swallow your pride and remember the words of the great wise man Solomon, who said "pride [goeth] before destruction."  Proverbs 16:18

And when we do experience sorrow in life, because we will experience sorrow while here on earth.  Remember that someday, sorrow will be no more. "For the Lamb standing in front of the throne will feed them and be their Shepherd and lead them to the springs of the Water of Life. And God will wipe their tears away." (Revelation 7:17)

In verses 1-8 we see the faithful believers receiving a seal to protect them through a time of great tribulation and suffering; in verses 9-17 we see the believers finally with God in heaven. All who have been faithful through the ages are singing before God’s throne.  This is a picture of what it takes to get there if we substitute our pride for faith.  If we confess our sins and give it to the father.

In his trying times, when he finally came to his senses, the son chose to came back to his loving father, ragged and torn as he was, the father took him in unconditionally and a loud call for celebration was put out, for the child was lost and is now found.

The son's tribulations and sufferings are over: no more tears for sin, for all sins are forgiven when we give our sorrows to the father.   On that great morning, our blessed hope will be realized when at last there will be no more tears shed, for all sorrows will be over; no more tears for death, for all believers have been resurrected to everlasting life "and God will wipe their tears away". Death and suffering, will be no more.  

Ia manuia

failauga p. anoa'i

www.failaugaministry.org

 

What does the Bible teach us about mourning?

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"And they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days."  (Genesis 50:10)  

When they arrived at Atad (meaning “Threshing Place of Brambles”), beyond the Jordan River, they held a great and solemn funeral service, with a seven-day period of lamentation for Joseph’s father. 

Mourning takes time. When Jacob died at the age of 147, Joseph wept and mourned for months. When someone close to us dies, we need a long period of time to work through our grief. Crying and sharing our feelings with others helps us recover and go on with life. However, sometimes we need time alone to reflect on those precious memories, which we so often take for granted in this hurry up fast pace of life.

Allow yourself and others the freedom to grieve over the loss of a loved one, and give yourself time enough to complete your grieving process.

In 2 Samuel 1:11-12, David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the Lord’s people, and for the men of Israel who had died that day.

Mourning is an appropriate human emotional response to the loss of a loved one. “They mourned and wept and fasted all day.” David and his men were visibly shaken over Saul’s and Jonathan’s death. Their actions showed their genuine sorrow over the loss of their king, their friend Jonathan, and the other soldiers of Israel who died that day. 

 They were not ashamed to grieve. And we should not be either.  Today, some people consider expressing emotions to be a sign of weakness. Those who wish to appear strong try to hide their feelings. But expressing our grief can help us deal with our immense sorrow when a loved one passes.

The most vivid example of the love and understanding of God the comforter, to us all who go through trials, sorrows and grief is displayed in (John 11:35)  It simply says that "Jesus wept".

Jesus experienced grief like you and I. John stresses that we have a God who cares. A God who feels your pain, and hurt when we hurt.  This portrait contrasts with the Greek concept of God that was popular in those days—a god with no emotions and no messy involvement with lowly humans. 

Here we see many of Jesus’ emotions—compassion, indignation, sorrow, even frustration. He often expressed deep emotion.  So we should never be afraid to reveal our true feelings to him.  He understands them, for he experienced them too. 

Be honest, and don’t try to hide anything from your Savior. He cares.  Jesus did not hesitate to reveal his emotions. When Jesus saw the weeping and wailing, he too wept openly.  Maybe he sympathizes with their grief, or perhaps he was troubled at their unbelief.  In either case, Jesus showed that he cares enough for you and me in our mourning period, to weep with us in our sorrow.

Ia manuia

failauga p. anoa'i 

When I Cry, You Cry

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
"Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. Psalms 27:7

This is my first post since May 21 of this year 2011.  Sometimes regardless of your perceived strengths,  when hardship hits you personally, you are affected in diverse ways that are so unimaginable, that even words fail to describe it.  There is a song with such beautiful lyrics that describes vividly the feelings my wife and I experienced, when we lost our son in his battle with cancer on July 24th of this year at the tender age of 27.

Through transition of emotions, there are gentle moments of soothing reflection during the healing process when we look to the Lord for help.  In the book of Luke 9:11  It says that as the people followed him, "Jesus spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing."

Oh but how we reflect on the words of Job as we visualize the imagery of it piercing his heart when he lost all ten of his children in one day, "Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! Job 6:2

The poetry of King Solomon exclaims that the knowledge bestowed upon his servants in Ecclesiastes 1:18 does not necessarily buy you a get out of grief card either.  "For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.   Oh why oh Lord must we be entrapped in this cloud of dazed mournfulness, grief and sorrow?

  
"making a list of all the good things you done for me, Lord I never been one to complain, but right now, I'm lost, and I can't find my way......my worlds come apart,... and its breaking my heart,... but it helps to know, that your heart is breaking too, when I cry, you cry, when I hurt, you hurt, when I've lost someone, it takes a piece of you too, when I fall on my face, you fill me with grace, cause nothing breaks your heart, or tears you apart, like when I cry."

It is times like this in life, when we feel so abandoned and lost that he lovingly gives us a song, and remind us that we are not alone.  That he feels our pain and had experienced our sorrows.  He gives us a song of encouragement through His Word,  "so be truly glad! there is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for awhile down here." 1 Peter 1:6

So we press forward to that blessed morning, when Jesus comes back in the clouds to take us home, and to again be with our loved ones.  "But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."   Matthew 14:27

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.   Revelation 21:4   

Soifua ma ia manuia

failauga p. anoa'i

Is Today "DOOMS"-Day?

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man , no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36)

Greetings and talofa to all my family, friends and faithful readers.  I post this blog this morning to point out several errors of  this “MAY 21 DOOMS-DAY” scare that’s spreading like wildfire on-line.  "...Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you."  (Matthew 24:4)

Harold Camping, a Christian radio broadcaster and president of Family Radio, has used mathematical predictions to predict that the "End of the world" should happen today, May 21, 2011 at exactly 6:00 p.m.
 

He is convinced that a rapture of God’s people (Church) will take place this evening at exactly 6:00 p.m.  Then, five months later, God will destroy the Earth and the universe.
 
First off, it is dangerous to study prophecies and numbers and symbols in the book of Daniel and Revelation with a calculator in hand.  Because some people will feel compelled to punch out prophetic figures, and do mathematical numbers crunching.  Thinking there is some "hidden answer" in Scripture predicting when Christ will return!
 
My beloved family, if we are true to the Bible, if we seek prayerfully the message of Christ’s words in Matthew 24 and 25 with an open heart, we will close our minds to this rubbish.  Preparation for Jesus’ return has less to do with figuring out a date, but rather more to do with how we are to live proper Christian lives in the present.
 
Many people laugh at Camping. But still others wonder, “Could this be true?”  That is the danger.  The answer is not found in blogs, posts, or on-line articles.  The answer is found by studying the Word of God for yourself.  Here are seven passages from Scripture that guide us in testing Camping’s prediction.
 
1.    Matthew 24:36 says, “Of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”  The Bible tells us every effort we make to nail down the time for Christ’s return will fail. Camping directly contradicts Christ’s words.

2.    Luke 21:9 says, “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them” (Luke 21:8). The Bible warns us there are false prophets who attempt to predict the timing of Jesus’ coming. Camping demonstrates that he is a false prophet by trying to set a date for Jesus’ return.

3.    Matthew 24:32, 33 says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”  While the Bible shows us we cannot know the precise time of Christ’s second coming, it helps us know from signs that it is near.

4.    Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”   The emphasis here in Scriptures is to watch and be ready always because we do not know exactly when Christ will return (Luke 12:35-40, Matthew 24:50, 1 Thessalonians 5:6).

5.    Acts 1:6, 7 says, “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?’ And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”  God has not revealed when Jesus will come again. Our Christian focus should not be on time-setting, but mission work of preperation

6.    Luke 12:37 says, “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” The passage teaches that no matter when the master returns, the servant is blessed because he is always ready.  The servant is not fixed on a time, but readiness.

7.    Luke 12:45 says, “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming.’”Here is a warning that putting off preparation for Christ’s coming will catch people off guard. We must not smugly point out false predictions and neglect our own preparation for Jesus’ return or we will not be ready.
 
Camping also predicts that the saints will be “raptured” while the wicked are left on this earth for five months and then destroyed.  The Bible tells us that at the second coming of Christ the wicked will be destroyed, not left behind for five months or even seven years as others believe.(see Revelation 6:16, 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; and Revelation 19:20, 21).  

The Bible teaches that the wicked and righteous (tares and wheat) grow together until the harvest (Matthew 13:30).  Then God’s people are saved and the unrighteous are lost.  In the parable of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 24:44-51), there is no second chance.  So also the parable of the sheep and goats teaches that when Christ comes, people are either saved or lost (Matthew 25:31-46).
 
The parables of Matthew 24 and 25 teach us that because Jesus is coming soon, but at a time we do not exactly know, we should always be ready.   It is not a test of our Christianity to know the specific time of Christ’s return.  The judgment question of Matthew 25:45 says nothing about calculating a date.  It teaches that how we treat those less fortunate than ourselves (our Christian duties) is what shows we are ready for the Lord’s return.
 
Is Jesus’ coming soon? The Bible is certain that Christ will come again. The Scriptures point to signs in the natural world, in the religious world, and in the increase of wickedness on our planet.  Jesus predicted, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Has this sign been completely fulfilled?  There are remote parts in Africa where people still haven't yet heard of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
God calls us to be ready at all times. We should put away our end-time calculators and fall on our knees asking Jesus to change our hearts and use us as a witness to all nations, so that we will be ready, when He comes.
 
Ia manuia,
 
failauga p. anoa’i

THANK YOU

Mea e ‘ai e tatau ma le aso
“It is good to say thank you to the Lord, to sing praises to the God who is above all gods. Every morning tell him, “Thank you for your kindness,” and every evening rejoice in all his faithfulness.” (Psalm 92:1-2)

Thankfulness ought to be a major ingredient in all our relationships from the time that we wake to when we go to sleep.  During his trials and especially upon the arrival of our son Tuito’o, we focused on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for His gift to us as parents, protecting and guiding our children safely home.

We also realize that thanks should be on our lips every day for the blessings He so freely bestow upon us daily.  The blessings He gives so unselfishly in different ways and forms we sometimes forget to recognize and acknowledge.

Thus, we can never say thank you enough to our families, friends, our readers and especially to our Heavenly Father, for your intercessory prayers for our son.  Although “Thanks Giving Day” is an event celebrated annually worldwide, we want to count our blessings everyday and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the gift of life, liberty and the loving gift of Salvation.

When thanksgiving became an integral part of our lives, we found that our attitude toward life has changed.  We became more positive, gracious, loving, and humbled.  “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises,  that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world…” (2Peter 1:4)

I hope and pray that you, our precious readers will lovingly understand if I take some time-off from writing the “Daily Manna” blog.    That we may concentrate fully our time and effort, on the care of our son.   That the loving grace of God our loving Father, may restore to him his health.

When time permits God willing, I will on occasions, write about our experiences dealing with this ordeal for the benefit of those who are going through similar experiences.  Until then, may God richly bless each and every one of you in His Name.  For…”we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa’i

The Lord Your God is With You!

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

Afterwards Jehovah spoke to Abram in a vision, and this is what he told him: “Don’t be fearful, Abram, for I will defend you. And I will give you great blessings.” (Genesis 15:1)

The promise of God’s protection can keep us from fear.  Why would Abram be afraid? Maybe because he feared revenge from the kings he had just defeated (14:15).  God gave him two good reasons for courage: 

(1) He promised to defend Abram, and 

(2) He promised to give Abram “great blessings.

” When you fear what lies ahead, remember that God will stay with you through difficult times and that he has promised you great blessings.

"Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

But be careful not to leave God out of your thoughts.  Joshua’s new job consisted of leading more than two million people into a strange new land and conquering it.  What a challenge—even for a man of Joshua’s caliber!  

Every new job is a challenge. Without God it can be very frightening. With God it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our challenges.  We may not conquer nations like Josua, but every day we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations. 

However, God promises that he will never abandon us or fail to help us. By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life’s challenges.

Ia manuia,

failauga

Effective Faith

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso

"So now, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith in his promises, we can have real peace with him because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1)

Effective faith rests on what Jesus Christ has done for us.  As Paul states in  
1 Corinthians 13:13, faith, hope, and love are at the heart of the Christian life.

Our relationship with God must begin with faith, which helps us realize that we are delivered from our past by Christ’s death.  Our hope grows as we learn all that God has in mind for us; it gives us the promise of the future.  And God’s love fills our life and gives us hope and the ability to reach out to others.

"And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything..." (Hebrews 10:38)

Effective faith grows under pressure.  Hebrews encourages believers to persevere in their Christian faith when facing persecution and pressure. We don’t usually think of suffering as good for us, but it can build our character and our patience. (James 1:3)

During times of great stress, we feel God’s presence more clearly and find help and strength from praying Christians we never thought would care.  Knowing that Jesus is with us in our suffering and that he will return one day to put an end to all pain and sufferings, helps us grow in faith and our relationship with him (see Romans 5:3-5).

So then, effective faith becomes stronger through endurance.  The writer encourages his readers not to abandon their faith in times of suffering, but to show by their endurance that their faith is real.  Faith means resting in what Christ has done for us in the past, but it also means hoping for what he will do for us in the future.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

A Tiny Seed of Faith

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
The father instantly replied, “I do have faith; oh, help me to have more!”
(Mark 9:24)

There are times when confronted with the realities of life, like seeing your child physically devastated from a dreadful disease with no known medical cure.  It can really test your faith and beliefs.  But weak faith can become strong faith with God’s help. The attitude of trust and confidence that the Bible calls belief or faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6) is not something we can obtain without help.

Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). No matter how much faith we have, we can never reach the point of being self-sufficient.  Faith is not a resource you can store away like money in the bank.  Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing your trust in Jesus.  Lifting your loved ones up to Him, praying without ceasing with the surety of His promises.


One day the apostles said to the Lord, “We need more faith; tell us how to get it.” (Luke 17:5)
Effective faith depends on God. The disciples’ request was genuinely real; they wanted the faith necessary for forgiveness and the power to forgive.  But Jesus didn’t directly answer their question because the amount of faith is not as important as its genuineness.  Is your faith genuine?

What is genuine faith? It is total dependence on God and a willingness to do his will, regardless of your circumstances.  Faith is not something we use to put on a show for others to see how spiritually faithful you are.  It is complete and humble obedience to God’s will, readiness to do whatever he calls us to do, despite your personal circumstances.

Jesus compared the minimum amount of faith required to move mountains to a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20).  A mustard seed is small, but it is alive and growing. Like a tiny seed, a small amount of genuine faith in God will take root and grow. 

Almost invisible at first, it will begin to grow, first under the ground and then visibly.  Although each change will be slow and gradual, soon this faith will have produced major results even miracles.

We don’t need more faith?,  Jesus says, a tiny seed of faith is enough.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i

The Power of Motherly Example

Mea e ‘ai e tatau ma le aso
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God”  (Ruth 1:16)

I know it may seem strange on Mother’s Day to choose a text about a mother-in-law, but most mothers eventually become mothers-in-law.  Naomi is a good example for both.
Why did Ruth leave her own family and go to a foreign land with her mother-in-law?  It seems like a strange thing to do.  As we celebrate this special day for all Mothers.  I’d like you to consider these three points why she did:

I.  Ruth Saw How Naomi Handled Herself in the Family.  It must have been the example that Naomi set as a good mother to her sons. Otherwise Ruth would have returned to her own family.  It is also likely that she saw her as a good wife. Ruth herself became a good wife to Boaz.  It seems likely, that she took Naomi as her role model.  It is also certain that she saw Naomi as a good mother-in-law.  It is important to note, that both Naomi and Ruth were ancestors of King David and therefore ancestors of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

II.  Ruth Saw How Naomi Handled Grief.  The grief was real (Ruth 1:21).  The grief was honest and human (Ruth 1:20).  Still, she did not give up on her faith.  Though she complained against God (understandably) but she still believed in Him.

III.  Ruth Saw That the Source of Naomi’s Strength Lay in her Faith.  We are touched by the phrase “your people will be my people” but the most important words are “and your God my God.”  She saw Jehovah God as superior to the gods of Moab.  This was not because she had no sorrows, no tragedies, or disappointments.  Ruth saw that Noami had this faith in spite of all that had gone wrong.  Life was not easy for them and it may not be easy for us, but faith can live in our hearts even in the most difficult of times.  The story tells of a tough faith—it tells of an indestructible faith.

Naomi gave Ruth a great gift.  The gift of “Faith.”  And Ruth gave Naomi a great gift.  She gave her a child who was the ancestor of Jesus Christ.  Today is the day to be thankful for the things our mothers (and mothers-in-law) have given us.  It is also a day to give something back to them. 

Let us not forget there are also those surrogate mothers: people who filled the role of mother or were a mother figure to children who were not biologically theirs. Many have been blessed by foster mothers and step-mothers, and even by neighbors who provided a mother image when it was needed. Let us be thankful for them and express our thanks to them as well.  May God Bless our Mothers.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa’i