Ohayo gozaimasu (good morning in Japanese)! Today is Thursday, August 14, 2025, and I’m writing from Japan. Over the past few days, I’ve had the privilege of sharing at our New Hope Tokyo services, Young Adult gatherings, and Youth camps. One highlight from youth camp: twenty-five young people gave their lives to Christ, and seventeen responded to the call to full-time ministry. God is moving powerfully here.
Japan is sixteen hours ahead of the U.S.—so I am writing this at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Oregon, and 5:30 a.m. Thursday in Japan. In a way, this is a word “in advance.” Jesus often did this for His disciples—giving them words, warnings, and encouragement ahead of time to prepare them for what was coming..
Today's Reading:
Jeremiah 16,17; Psalms 96; John 16
Scripture
“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:32–33)
Observation
God’s Word is life. As 2 Timothy 3:16–17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” In other words, when we open the Bible, we allow God to coach us before the challenge comes. Jesus gives His Word ahead of time so that when trouble arrives, we can face it with peace and courage—knowing the One who walks with us has already overcome the world.
Application
This reminds me of Back to the Future Part II, where Marty McFly travels into the future and sees what’s coming. When we sit with the Lord, it’s like hearing from the One who already knows the end of the story. He prepares us to make godly decisions and stand firm before the trial even begins. Jesus isn’t giving us spoilers—He’s giving us strategy. To have access to that kind of preparation and choose to ignore it would be foolish. Even more, to have an open invitation into a relationship with the Creator of the universe and rarely take it would be heartbreaking.
Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank You for faithfully preparing us, leading us, and helping us in our time of need. There will never be a justified excuse to say You did not care for us. Thank You for giving us Your Word in advance, and for the Holy Spirit who prepares us, walks alongside us, and reminds us of all things. Amen.
-Aaron Cordeiro