November is the month, each year, where the United States focuses on thankfulness. 

 ¹Thanksgiving has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789, with a proclamation by President George Washington after a request by Congress. President Thomas Jefferson chose not to observe the holiday, and its celebration was intermittent until President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens", calling on the American people to also, "with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience ... fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation". Lincoln declared it for the last Thursday in November. On June 28, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the Holidays Act that made Thanksgiving a yearly appointed federal holiday in Washington, D.C.

While we should participate in the annual Thanksgiving holiday, recognizing our blessings as a nation, true thankfulness is far more than a one day a year observance. Gratitude has three levels: The first is an overall lifestyle and attitude that recognizes and appreciates being a blessed individual. This level is a matter of character and holds steady regardless of the particular circumstances one might face from time to time. The second level of gratitude is emotional gratitude. This is gratitude that springs up as one experiences positive emotions regarding life in general or specific situations in life. This level of gratitude can wax and wane depending on one’s mood. The third level of gratitude is appreciation for specific gifts or acts of kindness received. This level is the most transient level of gratitude. It is dependent upon being the recipient of a gift or act of kindness. All three levels of gratitude are important. We should be appreciative for acts of kindness and gifts received. We should be thankful when we experience seasons of goodness, blessing, and love. We should strive to live lives based on recognizing that our heartbeat and the breath we breathe demonstrate that we are blessed. Simply living is a huge blessing and worthy of our continual gratitude. 

And they came to Marah, and they could not drink the waters for bitterness, because they were bitter; therefore, he called the name of it Marah.” (Exodus 15:23)

Definition of bitter - having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet.

So, let’s get real for a moment, how do I relate this to my life, how do I drink bitter water?

Examples of Drinking From Bitter Waters.

1. Drinking from the bitter waters of lust… (Proverbs 7:21-27)

2. Drinking from the bitter waters of greed… (Proverbs 11:4)

3. Drinking from the bitter waters of ambition… (Proverbs 11:7)

4. Drinking from the bitter waters of pride… (Proverbs 16:18)

5. Drinking from the bitter waters anger… (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

6. Drinking from the bitter waters of drunkenness…(Proverbs 23:21)

7. Drinking from the bitter waters of sexual impurity… (Proverbs 23:29-33)

Sinful human nature makes it very easy for us to rationalize and justify ourselves for harboring hurt feelings or a grudge against others when we feel that they have wronged or mistreated us. 

Like the roots of most plants, little "roots" of resentment and bitterness lay below the surface where they remain unseen while they are growing. But there they go, spreading and growing; going ever deeper and deeper. 

If allowed to continue, these roots of bitterness will eventually eat away at your very heart and soul, until they finally devour and destroy you spiritually! Ultimately, leaving you spiritually dead 

Bitterness is very much like the South American vine known as the "Matador." Beginning at the foot of a tree, the matador vine works its way to the top. But as it grows, it kills the tree, and when at last the top is reached, it sends forth a flower to crown itself. The word “Matador” literally means KILLER.

Bitterness may appear harmless when it is small, but if it is allowed to grow, eventually it kills the soul.

This is why God's Word tells us in Ephesians 4:31 to "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." 

The difference between Bitter and Better is simple one letter and that is “I”. 

Pastor Brian

Pastor Brian

YD

Church of God in Hawaii

Hawaii Church of God Spirit Care Representative, Cecilia Hoopai 808-757-2617

Tips for Sharing the Gospel

Awaiting the new adventure are the 22 men and woman of the 2023 World Missions Blitz. From left to right: Rev & Mrs. Mike Cleckler (AL), Rev. & Mrs. Darrin Pendley (MD), Rev. & Mrs.Hugh Nelson (NY), Rev. & Mrs. Harold Hanks (FL), Bishop Taylor & Candie, Bishop & Mrs. Tom Gillum (TN) Rev. & Mrs. Glen Vaughn (AL), Rev & Mrs. Jarrett Lovelace (AL), Rev & Mrs. Fred Ledbetter (AK), Bishop & Mrs. Martin Taylor (TN). Not pictured: Pastor Brian & Zara.

This team balanced work with fun. A day spent with MIP candidates wrapped up at Haleiwa Joes in Kaneohe, which later led to a late night visit to the iconic Honolulu Church.

New relationships formed quickly and easily. (Right) Pastor Brian and Zara converse with Lady Diana Nelson at a stop on the island tour. Our hearts are full because we have new Ohana to love.

Sunday services were opportunities for further project evaluation. New relationships launched over Sunday lunches. A trip to Molokai via Mokulele connected the island church to mainland ministry in Florida. Fellowship on the lawn after service and a conversation with Sister Peggy netted a coconut to be mailed to Rev. and Sister Hanks' grandson.

Though the CoG Ohana is over 8 million people in 191 nations, the sea is the only separator. Bishop Tom & Cathy Gillum brought greetings to Sister Nakashima from Sister Priscilla Hensley of North Carolina. Brother & Sister Hensley pastored the Hilo Church in the mid 1900s..

Open Q&A at MiP allowed Hawaii MIP candidates to hear from great leaders and several different ministry perspectives.

Among the ministers was Bishop Hugh Nelson. Not only does his credentials include Pastor and inner city community leader. He is a MIP instructor for the CIMS portion of the training.

A Hawaiian feast at the ministry center was a token Mahalo for investing in the future of Hawaii. MIP Candidates lunched with team members. Kaluha Pig and Laulau introductions were made for the mainland guests. The meal did not disappoint.

An emergency surgery, kept Hawaii World Missions Rep, Dr. Terrell Brinson on the Mainland. Bishop Martin Taylor competently led the team.

Bishop Martin Taylor, once Pastor Brian's State Bishop, filled Newton's pulpit. His sermon on the paralytic lowered through the roof into a missions context. Though the work was hard, the roof was removed so that someone in need could get to Jesus. That's what ministry partnership is about.

Hello Everyone, 

The purpose of the prayer force is primarily to lift up the needs and burdens of one another and to give God the glory in the victories in life. When I received Sister Claudia's message, I was stricken by the beauty of God's grace in the middle of adversity, grief, and loneliness. It reminds me this scripture

Isaiah 43:2 says,

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you."

Notice the word used three times there - Through. The next keyword there is - With. God didn't say around, over, or under, He will go with us through the water as he was with Moses and the people of Isreal. He will go with us through the flames with us as he was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He will go with us through our nights in the lion's den as He was for Daniel. 

Praise the Lord we have Him through our life's tragedies, trials, and tribulations! I hope you are blessed by Sister Claudia's message of comfort, strength, and reliance on the Lord in tough times. 

Hawaii Church of God

Prayer Force Focus for the Weeks of:

November 5-18, 2023

Pastor Claudia Noah

Alpha and Omega Church of God

Hawaii

FROM SISTER CLAUDIA

Praise God! Father God is always good. Guess He knew that one of his needs more prayer than usual. But first, let me give praise to the Father. Granddaughter Courtney who walked away from God had decided to start reading again and also began to have her two sons and daughter reading. Courtney owed a large sum of money to her daughter who is in preschool, schooling. She called me two days ago. The school called her in and told her someone had donated some money and seeing her struggle, they waivered in payments, that they paid off her debt. She said, Amma, I know it's because I decided to come back to Him that he blessed me. All glory to God. So, thank you all for your prayers for my family and for the church!

I am still struggling with my grief and decided that I need to have counseling because I just can't do it on my own. It helps somewhat, but still can't cope. It's hard to talk about it, because, it seems like it took some time to hit me. They say, that because I was a care provider, I had to make sure everyone was okay, which is what I did. But now since I'm very much alone, it is harder to cope. He took me everywhere with him, even to work on his deliveries. We were always together, and being alone was and still is hard. I'm alone most of the time leaving me to think and causes me to just want to go and drive, just drive anywhere. So, do I need prayer, yes, I do. My emotions are high, and sometimes I think I can't get a message together. But Our Father is Awesome, beyond measure. I tell Him, you promised, that You would never leave me nor forsake me, and so it's all on You Lord. I'm here, I'm your vessel use me, speak through me, for whatever You want Your people to know. You know them better than I do, So, I'm here and I am more than willing. And He does it every week. I just trust in Him, that He is gonna do what He is gonna do, not for me, but for the ones He places in my hands. 

• So, pray for each one of them, the little handful in my care. That God will minister to them, in a way that they will only desire to be more like their savior, and trust Him with all of their hearts to use them to bring Him glory and honor in everything they do.
• Pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit as they read, pray, and worship.
• Pray also for my children, Robert Jr. Victoria, Catherine, and Jason. They all need God in their lives, running away from God, yet knowing that God is Good. 
• Pray that my grandchildren and great-grandbabies will all come to know Jesus as their savior.
• Pray also for salvation throughout the islands, and thank God for repentant hearts on every man, woman, and child, that they turn their hearts to Jesus. 
• Pray also that people's eyes are opened to the truth of the bible as they witness what is going on in Israel. That the scales be removed from their eyes and that every lie spoken be diminished, and the truth be seen and felt in their hearts. 

All praise and glory to Our Lord and Savior! Thank you each and every one of you for holding me up, and being the shoulders to lean on. God bless. Hallelujah!

Claudia

PRAYER NEEDS ACROSS THE STATE

·       Pray for the people of Maui and the Lahaina church in their ongoing efforts to rebuild their lives after the wildfires.

·       Continue to pray for Brother Tom Tioaquen for his ongoing health

·      Pray for Sister Shirley Nanod as she rebuilds her strength following the completion of her treatments and praises the Lord for her recent great report from her doctors of being declared cancer-free. 

·      Pray for Pastor Brown’s ongoing health concerns.

·      Pray for Sister Claudia as she ministers in her church

·      Pray for Pastor Hoopai for her ongoing heart condition

·      Pray that Brother Padilla can find a suitable organ donor for him as he undergoes dialysis for several hours every day.

May God bless you abundantly for your faithfulness.