FALAITE SANUALI 31, 2025

NOTHING THWARTS GOD

‘IKAI HA ME‘A TE NE TA‘OFI ‘A E ‘OTUA

PSALM 2:1-6

"The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens laughs: the LORD holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,  As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." 

SAAME 2:1-6

1 KO E hā kuo futefute ai ‘a e ngaahi kakai, Pea ‘oku fakakaukau mūnoa ‘a e ngaahi matakali? 2 He tu‘u mai ‘a e ngaahi tu‘i ‘o māmani, Pea fakatahataha ‘a e hou‘eiki Ke puleaki‘i ‘a Sihova, Pea mo e pani ‘a‘ana: 3 “Tau motuhi ‘a e ngaahi ha‘i ‘anaua, ‘O li‘aki meiate kitautolu ‘ena ngaahi kafa.” 4 Kata pē ia ‘oku ‘afio ‘i langi, Manukia kinautolu ‘e ‘Ātonai. 5 Toki folofola ia ki ai ‘i he‘ene ‘ita, Pea ‘i he‘ene houhau ‘oku ne ‘ai ke nau ilifia:

6 “Ka Kuo u fakanofo ‘eku tu‘i ‘a‘aku, ‘I funga Saione ko ‘eku mo‘unga tapu.”

As far back as 1939, the Dutch theologian Johan Herman Bavinck observed, "It looks more and more likely that our culture, based as it is on self-satisfaction, will at a certain moment collapse and then we as humanity will face a worldwide calamity that will occur without warning. It may yet take a while, but there's no doubt it will come."

If Bavinck were here today, perhaps he would find our present circumstances to be something of a fulfillment of that prophetic word. For materialism, instant gratification, and individualistic autonomy were all sold to us as the path to satisfy ourselves - and, these things having failed, where do our societies turn?

We shouldn't misunderstand all the troubles of our world as being explicable in worldly terms alone. Mankind, the Bible tells us, is opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we consider our circumstances in light of the Scriptures, we recognize that this is what the psalmist meant when he wrote, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed."

If we do not want to be buffeted and bowled over by opposition and persecution, we must remember that God is sovereign and that He cannot be defeated. The unfolding of His purposes from all of eternity is at the very heart of biblical Christianity. He is the Maker. He speaks, and He decides. Even the calamities of our world are all part of the plan God has predestined to take place. He has set His King to reign, and nothing can thwart His purpose. As His people, the church should therefore sound not retreat but reveille![wake-up call] We must remind ourselves and others of who the enemy is: our battle is primarily a spiritual one, waged not "against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness" (Ephesians 6:12). And we must remind ourselves and others of who the victor is and always shall be: the King God has appointed-His Son and our Savior.

As we consider the amazing juxtaposition between our sovereign God and this world full of rebellion, we ought to turn to Him in prayer. Indeed, Paul reminded his readers to pray "at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:18), encouraging them with the truth that "the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4). We can pray boldly and live bravely because God stands sovereign. He is advancing His purpose and nothing and no one can ultimately stand against His desire to glorify His King and bless His people.

EPHESIANS 6:10-20

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 28-29; Mark 7:1-13

 TU‘APULELULU SANUALI 30, 2025

SEEING ALL OF CHRIST

VAKAI KI HE KANOKATO ‘O KALAISI

LUKE 24:25-27

"He said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."

LUKE 24:25-27

25 Pea toki me‘a ia kiate kinaua, ‘a e kau ta‘eloto, pea tō‘ohi ke tui ki he ngaahi me‘a na‘e lea‘aki ‘e he kau palōfita! 26 ‘Ikai na‘e pau ke mamahi pehē ‘a e Mīsaia, ka ne hoko ki he‘ene lāngilangi‘ia? 27 Pea ne kamata mei he ngaahi tohi ‘a Mōsese, mo e kau Palōfita kātoa pē, ‘o ne faka‘uhinga mei he Tohi tapu kātoa ‘a e ngaahi me‘a na‘e kau kiate ia.

What are you expecting a life of following Jesus to be like?

Luke does not introduce to us a great variety of post-resurrection appearances by Jesus. He instead chooses to focus our attention on the interaction between the risen Christ and two individuals walking along the Emmaus road - individuals who were wavering between faith and fear as they tried to make sense of life in light of the Crucifixion.

Jesus' death had confronted these early believers with a problem - namely, that their hope in Jesus as the Messiah had died with Him. Indeed, Luke records for us that they "had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21, emphasis added). These individuals had expected that when the Messiah came, He would bring victory, peace, and justice that would roll down like a vast and overwhelming river (Amos 5:24). But this hope had come to a crashing halt at the cross, where injustice seemed to have triumphed.

Yet something even better was about to happen: "While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them" (Luke 24:15). Aware of their perplexity and hopelessness, Jesus, "beginning with Moses and all the Prophets…interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." It wasn't that these people were unbelievers. It wasn't that they didn't know certain things the prophets had said. But in their reading of the Old Testament and in their thinking about messiahship, they had failed to grasp the big picture. They had not been paying attention to all that the prophets had spoken. They had focused on only one side of the story. They had warmed to the idea of victory - but they had failed to see that glory and victory lay at the end of a path of suffering, even death.

We cannot embrace Jesus as Messiah apart from the cross. Jesus was very clear: victory surely awaits, but only for those who take His words in Luke 9:23 to heart: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Are you willing to follow the path of suffering in order to enjoy a life with Christ in His glory? Are you at risk of turning away from God because He has not given you a victory in this life that He never promised? Be sure to see the whole story, so that set-backs and suffering do not defeat your faith or destroy the joy that comes from knowing that at the end of a hard path following a crucified King awaits the victory of seeing His face and living in His eternal kingdom. However hard or good the days of this life are, something better is always lying ahead.

2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 26-27; Mark 6:30-56

 PULELULU SANUALI 29, 2025

GODLY LEADERSHIP

KO E TAKI FAKA-‘OTUA

1 SAMUEL 12:1-3

"Samuel said to all Israel, 'Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you." 

1 SAMIUELA 12:1-3

1 PEA lea ‘a Sāmiuela ki ‘Isileli kātoa ‘o pehē, Ko eni kuo u fakaongo kiate kimoutolu ‘i he me‘a kotoa pē na‘a mou lea ai kiate au, pea kuo u fakanofo hamou tu‘i. 2 Pea vakai ko e tu‘i ena ‘oku laka ‘i homou ‘ao: pea ko au kuo u motu‘a mo hinā; ka ko ‘eku fānau ena ‘oku ‘iate kimoutolu: pea kuo u taka ‘i homou ‘ao talu ‘eku talavou ‘o a‘u ki he ‘aho ni. 3 Ko au eni: mou fakamo‘oni kiate au ‘i he ‘ao ‘o Sihova, pea ‘i he ‘ao ‘o ‘ene pani; ko e pulu ‘o hai kuo u to‘o? Pe ko e ‘asi ‘o hai kuo u ‘ave? Pea ko hai ha taha kuo u fakahekeheke‘i? Mo hai ha taha kuo u fakamālohi‘i? Pe kuo u tali mei he nima ‘o hai ha koloa ke fakakuikui ‘aki au? ka u fakafoki ia kiate kimoutolu.

Leadership of any kind is very vulnerable. If you work at the front of a classroom, lead an industry, operate in politics, or serve in pastoral ministry, you're routinely in the spotlight and before people's scrutiny - and that can be a challenge.

As King Saul was coming to leadership, the role that Samuel had played as judge was about to change. Recognizing this pivotal moment of transition in Israel's history, Samuel used the opportunity to establish his legacy. He had enjoyed a privileged position, but he didn't focus on his skills and strategies as Israel's leader. Instead, he highlighted his character: that he had walked before the Lord from childhood, that he was upright before the people, and that, as a result, he had been able to enjoy and convey God's faithfulness and goodness through it all.

After recounting his track record, Samuel did something that so many leaders fear to do and fail to do: he put himself in the dock and asked the people to testify regarding the integrity of his leadership. He was willing to stand there while they determined whether his office had been marked by any bribery or self-promotion. That's a risky prospect! As the people considered Samuel's questions, they found nothing against him, either in his character or in the authority and influence that had been entrusted to him: "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand" (1 Samuel 12:4). He had used his position neither to grow wealthy nor to dominate. Samuel's leadership was vindicated.

Because leadership comes with such focused attention, we must pray for leaders diligently and, if the Lord sees fit to place us in a leadership role ourselves, enter such roles thoughtfully, considering the purpose for which God has called us. James warns us not to take our leadership responsibilities, especially within the church, lightly or carelessly: "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1).

Are you under the care of godly leaders? Then know that as they serve the Lord faithfully, they need your prayers, encouragement, and support! Be sure to pray for them regularly and seek to build them up frequently. Are you a leader yourself? Then follow Samuel's pattern: walk before the Lord as you lead, so that your leadership is marked by honesty and integrity and so that your example is truly worth following.

I TIMOTHY 3:1-13

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 23-25; Mark 6:1-29

 TUSITE SANUALI 28, 2025

THANKFUL, PRAYERFUL, JOYFUL

MO‘UI FA‘A FAKAMALO, LOTU MO FIEFIA

PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

FILIPAI 1:3-6

3 Ka u ka fakamanatu kiate kimoutolu ‘oku ake ‘eku fakafeta‘i ki hoku ‘Otua, 4 pea fai fiefia ma‘u ai pē ‘i he‘eku hū kotoa pē ‘a e hūfia ‘omoutolu fuli pē; 5 koe‘uhi ā ko ho‘omou kautaha ke kauhaki‘i ‘a e Kōsipeli, talu mei he ‘uluaki ‘aho ‘o fai mai: 6he ko e me‘a ni ‘oku ou mātu‘aki tui ki ai, ko ia na‘a ne kamata ‘i homou loto ha ngāue lelei, te ne fai ai pē hono fakahaohaoa, ‘o a‘u ki he ‘aho ‘o Sīsū Kalaisi.

Our prayers tell us a great deal about ourselves and about our view of those around us.

Paul and the Philippian believers enjoyed a partnership grounded in the gospel. Theirs wasn't a static fellowship based on a little bit of common belief. Rather, it was a deepening friendship that blossomed as they continued "striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" and to "work out" their salvation "with fear and trembling" (Philippians 1:27; 2:12). The Philippians' lives were marked by progression both in their relationship with Paul as their servant and their relationship with Christ as their Savior. Because of this partnership, Paul could be thankful, prayerful, and joyful.

If a church is to grow spiritually, the relationships among its people must be those of genuine thankfulness. Such gratefulness shouldn't depend upon the perfection of others; we are all far from perfect. Indeed, our imperfections should fuel our prayers for each other! Even so, true, heartfelt thankfulness allows fruitful ministry to continue.

Paul's partnership was reflected in Paul's prayers. As he prayed for the Philippian believers, his prayers were comprehensive: "... in every prayer of mine for you all." He didn't just pray for those who were doing well or those who were in his inner circle; he prayed for everyone. We need to do the same! Indeed, if we pray for those who are often hardest to pray for, we will discover that they can actually become some of our best companions. We may even think they have changed, only to discover that we have changed, simply because we added prayerfulness to thankfulness.

Joyfulness comes as we partner in prayer with each other. Inevitably, some prayers involve pain. Our hearts ache as we get under the burden of our brothers and sisters who may be agonizing over their kids, their marriages, the loss of their jobs, their illnesses, or their bereavements. But at other times, instead of feeling like swimming against the tide, prayer can be like going with the waterfall as we rejoice together. When together we bring our situations, needs, and triumphs before the throne of grace, that fellowship brings joy. That's how Paul felt about the Philippian believers. He prayed sorrowful and hopeful prayers alike with joy because of their shared partnership.

We can learn from Paul. He knew that fellowship with other believers could create thankful, prayerful, and joyful people. How are your prayers for those with whom God has brought you into gospel partnership going to reflect Paul's prayers for the gospel partners in his life?

PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 20-22; Mark 5:21-43

 MONITE SANUALI 27,  2025

LEAVING MATTERS IN GOD'S HANDS

TUKU ATU KOTOA KI HE TO‘UKUPU ‘O E ‘OTUA

GENESIS 16:1-2

"Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, 'Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.' And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai." 

SENESI 16:1-2

1 PEA ko Sēlai ko e uaifi ‘o ‘Epalame na‘e ‘ikai ha‘ane tama kiate ia: ka na‘e ai ‘ene kaunanga ko e fefine ‘Isipite, pea ko hono hingoa ko Heka‘ā. 2 Pea lea ‘a Sēlai kia ‘Epalame, ‘Eni, vakai kuo ta‘ofi au ‘e Sihova mei he fanau; ke ke ‘alu ki he‘eku kaunanga, hei‘ilo te u fanau ‘iate ia. Pea tuitala ‘a ‘Epalame ki he lea ‘a Sēlai.

Life is difficult, and living as a Christian does not mean we are spared those difficulties. As we face illness, unemployment, heartache, broken relationships, and other challenges, we are confronted by this fundamental question: Will we walk the path of faith or will we try to take matters into our own hands?

Abraham was a man who was just like us - he experienced both triumph and failure in his walk of faith. God had promised to make his family a nation and to bless the world through someone from that nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Though childless, elderly Abraham and his wife, Sarah, would have their "very own son" who would be their heir (15:4). Abraham "believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness" (v 6).

But after years and years of waiting, Abraham's faith wavered. Presumably, on a monthly basis, their hopes would rise and collapse - and with every passing month and year. Sarah grew older, sadder, and more impatient. So it was that they reached a crisis of faith. They knew that God is real, that God is all-powerful, and that God had promised them a son, but they also knew they didn't yet have a son. Would they allow the questions of their hearts to overturn their faith or would they allow their faith to overturn the questions of their hearts?

The verses above narrate the sorry conclusion: they took matters into their own hands, and the solution that they adopted was self-effort. In their doubting and despair, Sarah ordered Abraham to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, in hopes of bringing about the promised child, and Abraham complied.

It was the wrong decision. Doubting that God would keep His promise, they instead sought to bring it about by their own (immoral) actions. They made their decision based on expediency. They didn't ask, What is right? They asked, What will work? They allowed pragmatism to be their guide over and against faith - and in doing so, they brought about more suffering, more pain, and more heartache for themselves and for Hagar. They thought that intervening would simplify things; instead, it complicated everything.

Whenever we set faith aside and apply self-effort, we complicate our lives. Whenever we seek to take things into our own hands and make our own plans instead of trusting God to keep His promises, we end up with chaos and heartache. Faith and waiting go hand in hand. Do not lose heart as you sit in life's waiting rooms. It is always right to wait upon God, and it is always right to wait for God. In what area of your life do you need to live this out today?

JOB 1:13-21

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 17-19; Mark 5:1-20

 SAPATE SANUALI 26, 2025

HE WILL CARRY YOU

TE U FUA KOE

ISAIAH 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

‘AISEA 41:10

‘Oua ‘e manavahē, he ‘oku ou ‘iate koe ‘e au; ‘oua ‘e kilokilo holo, he ko ho ‘Otua au: te u poupou koe ‘e au; ‘io, te u tokoni kiate koe; ‘io, te u pukepuke koe ‘aki ‘a e to‘omata‘u ‘o ‘eku faitotonu.

The story is told of a pastor who was moving his study to his new home - and therefore had to relocate his library of hundreds of books. But he was not without help. He had brought his four-year-old son along with him to carry some materials up the stairs. Not wanting to overtax the boy's small frame, this father had given his son a sheaf of papers and a couple of magazines to bring up. But as the pastor was coming back down the stairs, having just deposited a tall stack in the study, he heard his boy crying halfway up the stairs.

He rushed over to his little boy and found him struggling with a huge, oversized concordance. The father said to the son, "I never gave you this to struggle with. I never meant for you to carry such a heavy thing by yourself!" He then picked up his boy, picked up his boy's problem, and carried them both up the stairs.

How often we struggle with so much that God never gave us to carry on our own! We decide that we'd rather worry about this or fret about that, when God is not asking us to bear any of our burdens alone. Our Father desires that we cast all our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Whether it is directly through the work of His Spirit or whether it is through the burden-sharing love of His people (Galatians 6:2), He wants to take you and your problems and carry both.

Picture that pastor picking up his son and his son's burden. Isaiah presents us with just such a picture of our God: one who is not only willing but also fully able to help us in our time of need. We have no cause for worry, fear, or dismay. He has committed Himself to strengthen and uphold us. He promises, "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save" (Isaiah 46:4).

What burdens are you carrying today? You have a God who is always near and infinitely strong. He will help you. He will carry you. All you have to do is ask Him.

ISAIAH 41:5-16

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 14-16; Mark 4:21-41

 TOKONAKI SANUALI 25, 2025

SAINTS IN CHRIST

KAU MA‘ONI‘ONI ‘IA KALAISI

PHILIPPIANS 1:1

"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi..." 

FILIPAI 1:1

TŪ KO KIMAUA, ‘a Paula mo Tīmote, ko e ongo tamaio‘eiki ‘a Kalaisi Sīsū, ko ‘ema tohi ki he kāinga lotu kotoa pē ‘oku ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū, ‘oku nofo ‘i Filipai, kae‘uma‘ā ‘a e kau faifekau pule mo e kau akonaki.

KO BAULA mo Timote, ko e ogo tamaio‘eiki a Jisu Kalaisi, ki he kaiga ma‘oni‘oni kotoa be ‘ia Kalaisi Jisu, ‘oku ‘i Filibai, mo e kau tauhi mo e kau akonaki: (Uesi)

What is meant by the word "saint"? How does one become a saint? What role do saints play in the church?

While there are certainly individuals in church history who have been strikingly effective and particularly used by God, in the language of the New Testament there is no basis for titling someone "Saint So-and-So" while the rest of us are called by our ordinary names. Biblically, saints are not a special group of outstanding Christians who have done something peculiarly pious. Saints are normal Christians who follow Jesus.

"Saint" is simply the New Testament word used to describe every believer. In the introductions to Paul's letters, he frequently addressed the recipients as "saints." The word means "set-apart ones" or "holy ones," and all Christians are those who have been set apart from what they once were in sin and set apart for Christ. They are His treasured possession - His saints.

And if you are in Christ, so too are you.

The key to becoming a saint, then, is not building up a résumé of good deeds; it is being "in Christ Jesus." The Bible says that by nature, we are "in Adam," and unless we are placed into Christ, we remain in Adam and will die in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:22). Jesus came to do all that Adam failed to do and undo all that Adam did in the fall. People are brought from their experience in Adam to a new experience in Christ by His atoning death on the cross. Paul puts it this way: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Here is the real question about sainthood: not "Am I in church?" but "Am I in Christ?" It's good to be "in church," but just as someone can be "in a garage" and not become a car, someone can be "in church" and not be a Christian. If we are not in Christ, we are still the same old stuff-religiously painted up and spiritually interested, perhaps, but fundamentally unchanged.

Are you in Christ? If so, then you are a saint! All the benefits and blessings of being in Christ Jesus accrue to you, and you have the privilege of living for Him. Paul's addressing of ordinary Christians as saints stood as a reminder to them: This is what you are, and this is what you should live as. You are different. You are not to be like the world. You are His. Rejoice today, this moment, if He has set you apart for Himself, and live in freedom to the praise of His glory.

EPHESIANS 1:1-14

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 10-13; Mark 4:1-20

 FALAITE SANUALI 24, 2025

HIDDEN WITH CHRIST 

FUFŪ FAKATAHA MO KALAISI

COLOSSIANS 3:3

"You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." 

KOLOSE 3:3

he kuo mou pekia, pea ko ho‘omou mo‘ui ‘oku fufū fakataha mo Kalaisi ‘i he ‘Otua.

One of Satan's main schemes for attacking believers is accusation (Revelation 12:10). As the father of lies (John 8:44), he will use anything within his arsenal of demonic devices to cause Christians to feel condemnation - though the truth, of course, is that "there is ... now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

So how are we to stand firm in Christ when the Accuser tempts us to despair? When he whispers, "Would a Christian really think that?" or "How could a Christian ever do that?" what will we say? Should we point out that last week was a very good week or that this Bible reading or that prayer time ought to offset our guilt?

Surely, any good thing in our life is an evidence of God's grace at work. But no list of good works will ever assuage the Accuser. Our best response is to confront the Evil One head-on and tell him that Jesus bore our sins in His death, He rose to victory, and we are now united to Him and all His benefits by grace and through faith. We certainly want to live in a way that demonstrates real, active, vibrant faith; however, the most important thing about us isn't what we do but who we are in Christ. "You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God," says Paul. It is "Christ in you" who is "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

In the fight for faith, the issue is always the gospel. We must ask ourselves, "Have I come to entrust myself to Christ? Have I admitted who He is, who I am, and why I need Him? Is my hope in Jesus and what He has done for me, and not in any way in what I do for Him?" If we can answer yes, then we can confront the devil's lies and insinuations with the gospel. So, when the Accuser comes to you and suggests that you are not really a Christian, not really saved, not really forgiven - and he will! take refuge in the finished work of your Lord on your behalf. Jesus has already won the victory. Therefore, hidden in Him, His triumph is now yours, and not one of Satan's schemes can change that glorious truth.

COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

Bible Through The Year: Isaiah 7-9; Mark 3